Top-seeded Jannik Sinner has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming U.S. Open due to an ongoing right knee injury that has kept him out of action since his recent Wimbledon triumph. Sinner, who clinched his second consecutive Wimbledon title by defeating Alexander Zverev, opted out of the Montreal and Cincinnati hard-court events leading up to the U.S. Open.
The 25-year-old Italian confirmed on Friday that he will not be fit to compete when the main draw kicks off on August 30. In a statement shared on X, Sinner expressed his disappointment at missing out on the tournament, citing the necessity for more time to fully recuperate from his knee issue following recent training sessions in Monte Carlo.
Having claimed the 2024 U.S. Open title and finishing as the runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz in the previous year’s final, Sinner’s absence paves the way for Alcaraz’s return to action in New York after recovering from a right wrist injury that sidelined him since April. The rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz has been a focal point in men’s tennis, with the duo facing off in the last three Grand Slam finals in 2025. Alcaraz emerged victorious in their latest encounter at the U.S. Open, ending Sinner’s reign as the defending champion.
Sinner, boasting a remarkable 44-3 record with six titles this year, faced a setback at the French Open where he suffered a surprising defeat after squandering a two-set lead against Juan Manuel Cerundolo in scorching conditions. Despite this setback, Sinner regrouped to claim his fifth Grand Slam title at Wimbledon. This marks the first time Sinner will miss a Grand Slam event since making his major debut at the U.S. Open in 2019.