Withdrawal and medical reason
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner announced on August 21 that he will not compete at the 2026 US Open because of a persistent right knee injury, with the main draw scheduled to begin at Flushing Meadows on August 30. The 25-year-old Italian said in a post on X that, after returning to the practice court in Monte Carlo with his team and medical staff, he and his support staff concluded he still needed more time to recover before resuming the demands of best-of-five Grand Slam tennis.
Timeline of the injury
Sinner has been managing the right knee issue since missing the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open earlier in the summer before assessing his condition again at his Monte Carlo training base. His statement described the decision as difficult and said New York holds a special place for him, while expressing disappointment at missing what he called the electric atmosphere created by fans at the US Open.
Season context
The withdrawal interrupts an otherwise strong 2026 campaign in which Sinner compiled a 44-3 win-loss record and claimed six titles, establishing him as the year-end world No. 1 and the reigning Wimbledon champion. His absence from the final Grand Slam of the season reshapes the men's singles draw and removes the top seed before competition begins.
Ranking implications
Sinner's No. 1 ranking had already been secured for the season before the announcement, according to the reporting, with his results through the summer sufficient to lock in the year-end top position. Further ranking movements tied to US Open points will play out without him in the field.
Remaining uncertainty
Sources did not specify a return-to-play date or a revised rehabilitation timetable beyond Sinner's stated need for additional recovery time. The duration of his absence from competition following the US Open window was not addressed in the available reporting.
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