A Troubling Chain of Withdrawals
Jannik Sinner's 2026 season has hit a serious wall. The Italian world No. 1 has not competed since lifting the Wimbledon trophy on July 12, defeating Alexander Zverev in the final to defend his title at the All England Club. What followed has been a string of painful withdrawals, beginning with the Canadian Open in Montreal, then the Cincinnati Open, and now the most significant absence of all: the US Open at Flushing Meadows.
Sinner's right knee has been at the center of every announcement. After pulling out of Cincinnati, he insisted he was focused on being ready for New York. But a recent hitting session in Monte Carlo made clear that more recovery time was necessary. His statement confirmed he was "very sad and disappointed," describing New York as a place with special meaning for him.
What Comes Next for the Five-Time Major Champion
With the US Open now off the table, attention shifts to what remains of Sinner's year. He has confirmed plans to defend his title at the China Open in Beijing, an ATP 500 event beginning September 28. That gives him roughly five weeks to recover fully. Should his knee still not cooperate, the Shanghai Masters offers another option shortly after.
Sinner has played just nine tournaments in 2026, including three Grand Slams, five Masters 1000 events, and one ATP 500. Missing the US Open means he will also forfeit the ranking points he earned there previously, compounding the competitive cost of this injury.
The situation has alarmed observers across the tour, with commentators calling the withdrawal a genuine shock. TennisDraw users who had Sinner penciled deep into their US Open bracket predictions are now left rethinking their picks for the fall season ahead.
