A Title Defense That Won't Happen
Jannik Sinner will not be returning to Beijing to defend his China Open title this week, after confirming that his troublesome knee remains too sore for competitive play. The Italian world number one posted a heartfelt video message on social media, telling fans: "my knee is not where I would like it to be and I'm not ready to compete yet." He expressed clear disappointment at missing an event where he has built a special connection with the crowd, having lifted the trophy in both 2023 and 2025.
This withdrawal extends what has already been a lengthy absence for Sinner. The same knee problem forced him out of the US Open in August, meaning his last competitive match was the Wimbledon final, where he claimed victory over Alexander Zverev to retain that title. That run of form made him one of the most dominant players on tour this year, which makes the prolonged time away from courts all the more striking for his supporters.
Beijing Still Loaded With Star Power
Despite losing its reigning champion, the China Open field remains formidable. Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic are among the headline names still expected to take part as the tournament runs through October 6. Both players bring serious title credentials, and the draw shapes up to be fiercely competitive in Sinner's absence.
For now, Sinner says he is focused solely on getting his body right, promising fans he will return to the court as soon as possible. TennisDraw users picking their bracket favorites for Beijing will need to look beyond the defending champion for this one.
