A Lengthy Absence and a Knee Setback
Jannik Sinner has not played a competitive match since lifting the Wimbledon trophy on July 12, beating Alexander Zverev in four sets to successfully defend his title on the grass. After that victory, the Italian chose to skip the Canadian Open, having just completed a remarkable stretch that included five consecutive ATP Masters 1000 titles alongside the Wimbledon championship. His team originally planned a comeback at the Cincinnati Open, but a knee injury sustained in training derailed those plans entirely. That setback kept Sinner away from both Cincinnati and the US Open in New York, extending what has become a significant break from competition for the 25-year-old.
Two Comeback Paths, One Big Decision
With the China Open in Beijing set to begin on September 30, Sinner is currently listed in the draw, and the Shanghai Masters follows shortly after on October 5. However, former Italian professional Stefano Pescosolido, who once reached a career-high ranking of world No. 42 and won two tour titles, told Sky Sports Italia that caution may push Sinner toward a later return. Pescosolido outlined two realistic scenarios: Sinner either begins at Beijing and Shanghai, or skips the Asian swing completely and resurfaces at the Vienna Open on October 26. The former player noted that last year's Shanghai conditions caused Sinner to retire with cramping, adding another reason for careful scheduling. The priority, Pescosolido suggested, is protecting Sinner's body for the Grand Slams next season. Beyond the Asian events, Sinner still has the Paris Masters and the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin on his schedule, where he would chase a third straight title at that prestigious event. TennisDraw users will want to monitor Sinner's participation closely before locking in any bracket picks for the China Open.
