World number one Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the 2026 US Open after failing to recover from a right knee injury, dealing a major blow to the men’s singles field just days before the final Grand Slam of the season.
The Italian confirmed his decision on Friday after returning to training in Monte Carlo, where he and his medical team determined that his knee required more time to recover.
View this post on Instagram
“Even though I have been working hard with my team and my medical staff, we have now had to make the difficult decision that I will not be able to compete at the US Open this year,” he wrote on his social media pages.
“We have been back on court in Monte Carlo over the last couple of days and have realised that I still need more time to recover from my right knee issue.
“I’m obviously very sad and disappointed, as New York has a special place in my heart. I was very much looking forward to coming back and playing in the electric atmosphere in front of the great fans there.”
Sinner has not competed since winning his fifth Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon, with the knee problem subsequently forcing him to miss the Canadian and Cincinnati Opens.
His absence also means there will be no repeat of last year’s US Open final against Carlos Alcaraz, who confirmed just a day earlier that he will return to defend his title after spending four months on the sidelines with a right wrist injury.
Alcaraz has not played competitively since April and missed both the French Open and Wimbledon, as well as the North American hard-court events in Canada and Cincinnati, but has resumed full training ahead of his return in New York.
The Spaniard’s comeback takes on even greater significance following Sinner’s withdrawal, with the defending champion now among the leading contenders in a men’s draw that also features Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Djokovic will continue his pursuit of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam singles title, although questions remain over the 39-year-old’s physical condition following a difficult North American hard-court swing.
Sinner’s withdrawal nevertheless removes one of the biggest obstacles facing the rest of the field, with the Italian having won the US Open in 2024 before finishing runner-up to Alcaraz last year.
The 2026 US Open main draw begins on August 30 at Flushing Meadows, with the tournament to be shown live on SPOTV NOW.
