Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the U.S. Open after failing to recover from a right knee injury. The decision comes just days after Spanish player Carlos Alcaraz announced his return to the tour following four months away due to a wrist injury. Sinner, currently ranked number one in the world, will not compete on the hard courts of New York, citing ongoing difficulties with his right knee. The Italian player expressed disappointment over his absence, stating that despite working diligently with his team and medical staff, he has determined that competing at the U.S. Open this year is not feasible. “We have returned to play in Monte Carlo in recent days and realized that I still need more time to fully recover,” Sinner said. He added that while he is sad and disappointed, especially since New York holds a special place in his heart, he remains focused on his recovery and future tournaments. Sinner’s withdrawal affects the U.S. Open's main draw, with Spain’s Carlos Taberner stepping in as the top-ranked replacement. Argentina’s Facundo Díaz Acosta, currently ranked 87th, is next in line to enter the tournament, though his entry depends on whether he qualifies through the qualifying rounds. If he fails to secure a spot, he would have to compete in the qualifiers starting on September 30. Sinner last played at Wimbledon, where he claimed his fifth Grand Slam title and the first of the season. This marks the first time since his 2019 U.S. Open debut that he has missed a major championship. At 25 years old, he has been one of the most dominant players of the season, winning five Masters 1000 titles, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome, and maintaining a record of 44 wins and three losses. Additionally, he won the 2024 U.S. Open and reached the finals in 2025. His absence means that the long-awaited rematch against Alcaraz, who defeated him in the 2024 U.S. Open final, will not take place this year. Alcaraz had previously dominated all major tournaments, meeting Sinner only once in the Monte Carlo final, which the Italian won. They did not face each other in any Grand Slam event this year, nor will they in New York. Alcaraz, who recently returned to competitive play, continues to build momentum ahead of the upcoming tournaments. Sinner plans to stay in Europe to continue his rehabilitation, keeping his focus on the Asian leg of the tour, specifically the tournaments in Beijing and Shanghai. His schedule includes the Peking Open in late September and the Shanghai Open in early October. While his immediate goals remain centered on recovery, his long-term ambitions include returning to the highest level of competition as soon as possible.
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