A Difficult Stretch Since Wimbledon
Jannik Sinner has endured a frustrating run since defending his Wimbledon title in July, and the latest medical update only deepens concern. A report from Italian journalist Gabriele Parpiglia, featured in Corriere dello Sport, identifies the world number one's ongoing knee problem as iliotibial band syndrome, commonly known as ITBS. The condition involves inflammation of the fibrous tissue running along the outer thigh and knee, specifically where that band repeatedly slides over a bony prominence just above the knee joint. Because the issue sits outside the knee rather than inside it, specialists describe it as extra-articular, meaning the joint itself is not directly compromised.
Sinner has already been forced to skip all three North American hard-court events this summer, including the US Open, and most recently withdrew from the China Open in Beijing. Those absences have cost him 1,950 ranking points, with another 500 set to fall after he had won that Beijing title 12 months ago. The Italian has visited several clinics seeking answers, including La Madonnina in Milan.
What Recovery Looks Like From Here
According to the report, Sinner's medical team plans to prioritize conservative treatment: rest, physiotherapy, targeted hip and glute strengthening work, and potentially injections to reduce inflammation and manage pain. A careful, gradual return to full training loads would follow before any competitive comeback. Surgery is mentioned only as a remote option if all other approaches fail, and is described as an extreme scenario rather than an anticipated outcome for the five-time Grand Slam champion.
The Shanghai Masters now appears to be in serious doubt, raising questions about Sinner's entire autumn indoor schedule. TennisDraw users tracking the Shanghai bracket will want to keep a close eye on official withdrawal news before finalizing their picks.
