World No 1 Sinner pulls out of Shanghai Masters to delay return

Jannik Sinner, currently ranked as the world's top tennis player, has once again postponed his return to competition, withdrawing from the upcoming Shanghai Masters. The 25-year-old Italian, who has claimed six titles in 2026 with an impressive record of 44 wins and only three losses, has not competed since clinching his Wimbledon championship in July due to a right knee injury.

In an Instagram post, Sinner expressed his disappointment at not being able to participate in the tournament scheduled for October 7-18. He did not provide any additional details on his injury or recovery progress. Reportedly, Sinner sought a second opinion from a knee specialist in Lyon, France, on Friday. His extended absence could potentially allow his closest rival, Alexander Zverev, to climb to the top of the ATP rankings before the season concludes.

Currently, Zverev trails Sinner by 1,370 points. With Zverev having earned fewer points since the end of the 2025 season, he is expected to accumulate more points than Sinner in the remaining tournaments. In addition to his first two Grand Slam victories in 2026, Sinner also secured titles at the French Open and the US Open, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open and winning the final at Wimbledon.