Injuries cloud tennis as US Open gets under way
After Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner split last year's Grand Slams, the two superstars were expected to continue their see-saw rivalry in 2026.Alcaraz and Sinner are far from alone among top players missing big tournaments in 2026 due to injury, a trend that has been a source of growing alarm in the sport.
Injuries have marred the early stages of the 2026 tennis season, affecting top players at the US Open. Carlos Alcaraz, the world's top-ranked male, and Jannik Sinner, his close rival, were both sidelined by injuries. Alcaraz missed the French Open and Wimbledon with a wrist injury, while Sinner was absent from New York due to a knee issue.
Other notable absentees include Lorenzo Musetti, Arthur Fils, Elena Rybakina, Victoria Mboko, and Jack Draper. Despite advancements in sports medicine, fitness, and injury prevention, the trend of injuries among elite players continues, according to Neeru Jayanthi, a tennis medicine expert. The increasing physical demands of the sport, coupled with bigger, faster, and stronger players, have contributed to the growing injury problem.
The intense travel schedule and the need for strategic recovery also play a role in this issue. While some players like Djokovic remain competitive, the cumulative damage from years of intense play, especially at junior levels, is a growing concern for the future of tennis.
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