Jannik Sinner withdraws from US Open and issues emotional statement

Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the US Open as he continues to recover from a right knee injury. The world No. 1 has not played a match since he successfully defended his Wimbledon title last month, and skipped the recent Cincinnati Open due to discomfort in his knee.

The 2024 champion in Flushing Meadows has now confirmed that he needs more time before returning to the court, and expressed his disappointment in an emotional statement announcing his withdrawal.

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“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,” Sinner wrote on social media.

“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.

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“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.”

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After winning Wimbledon last month, Sinner skipped the Masters 1000 event in Montreal. This was a regular scheduling decision, and his knee issue was not a factor. But the Italian began to feel discomfort in his knee and underwent shockwave therapy, pulling out of the Cincinnati Open on doctors’ advice.

The world No. 1 has since returned to the practice courts in both Turin and Monte Carlo, but has decided to miss the final Grand Slam tournament of the season.

Sinner’s announcement comes less than 24 hours after his greatest rival and last year’s US Open champion, Carlos Alcaraz, confirmed that he would return to competition in Flushing Meadows following a four-month injury layoff.

Alcaraz announced the news in a joint Instagram post with Fabrizio Romano, a football influencer known for breaking transfer stories. “Carlos Alcaraz will return to the tour at the US Open after spending four months sidelined with a right wrist injury. Ready to come back,” Romano wrote.

Sinner’s withdrawal means that Alexander Zverev will be the No. 1 seed in his absence, and Alcaraz will be the No. 2 seed. The Italian will end the season with one Grand Slam title, Wimbledon. He lost to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open semis, and wilted in the heat against Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the second round of the French Open.

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