Top-seeded Jannik Sinner has pulled out of the upcoming U.S. Open due to a lingering right knee injury sustained after his Wimbledon victory. The Italian tennis star, who recently clinched his second consecutive Wimbledon title by defeating Alexander Zverev, decided to skip the lead-up tournaments in Montreal and Cincinnati to rest and heal.
In a statement released on Friday, the 25-year-old expressed his disappointment at not being able to compete at the U.S. Open, citing the need for more time to fully recover from his knee issue. Sinner, who had been training in Monte Carlo, acknowledged the special significance of New York in his career and expressed his regret at missing the opportunity to play in front of enthusiastic fans.
Sinner, the reigning 2024 U.S. Open champion, was bested by Carlos Alcaraz in the previous year’s final. Alcaraz, who had been sidelined due to a right wrist injury since April, confirmed his participation in this year’s U.S. Open through a social media post. The intense rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz has been a highlight in men’s tennis, with the two clashing in the last three Grand Slam finals in 2025, culminating in Alcaraz’s triumph in New York.
Despite a remarkable season with six titles and a 44-3 win-loss record, Sinner faced a setback at the French Open earlier this year. The Italian star suffered a surprising defeat after squandering a two-set lead against Juan Manuel Cerundolo. However, he bounced back at Wimbledon to secure his fifth Grand Slam title.
This will mark the first time Sinner will miss a Grand Slam event since his debut at the U.S. Open in 2019.