Jannik Sinner could be very close to making tennis return and could play next week in Shanghai

Jannik Sinner, the world number one, is reportedly close to returning to tennis after overcoming a knee injury that has sidelined him since Wimbledon. The Italian tennis player, who has missed the US Open and China Open due to his injury, is set to participate in the Shanghai Masters, according to a promising update from Sky Sports Italy.

This will be Sinner's first chance to gain ranking points since his early exit at the Shanghai Masters last year, where he lost to Tallon Griekspoor in the third set. The penultimate Masters 1000 event of the season, which begins next week, will serve as a crucial opportunity for Sinner to boost his rankings before defending big points at the Paris Masters and ATP Finals.

Although Sinner is still training intensively in Monte Carlo, there is growing optimism about his participation in the Shanghai Masters, following knee tests. Meanwhile, former player Nick Kyrgios, who has been a vocal critic of Sinner's comeback, may have softened his stance upon learning of the promising injury update.