Jannik Sinner withdraws from US open due to knee injury, Draper and Rune also out

Jannik Sinner, the world number one, has withdrawn from the US Open due to a persistent right knee injury, according to a statement released on Friday, August 21. The Italian, who won his fifth major title at Wimbledon last month, has not competed since sustaining the injury earlier this month. His withdrawal leaves the season’s final Grand Slam without one of its leading players, shifting the focus toward other contenders. Sinner initially skipped the Cincinnati Open and the Canadian Open, two crucial hard-court tournaments preceding the US Open. After returning to play in Monte Carlo, his team concluded that further recovery was necessary before the tournament in New York. “We have been back on court in Monte Carlo over the last couple of days and have realized that I still need more time to recover from my right knee issue,” Sinner stated in a message shared on X. He confirmed the decision to sit out the US Open, which begins on August 23 and concludes on September 13. The news follows the confirmation that world number two Carlos Alcaraz will participate in the US Open after a four-month break from competitive play. Alcaraz, who defeated Sinner in last year’s US Open final, now stands as the highest-ranked player entering the tournament. Despite recent injury concerns, he remains a strong favorite for the title. Sinner’s absence removes one of Alcaraz’s primary rivals, potentially easing his path as he seeks an eighth Grand Slam championship. In addition to Sinner, British player Jack Draper has also withdrawn from the US Open. The Lawn Tennis Association announced Draper’s absence shortly after Sinner’s decision. While the exact cause of Draper’s injury was not disclosed, media reports suggest it stems from a long-term left arm issue. Draper, who once reached a career-high ranking of world number four in 2025, has faced multiple injuries throughout the year, including a bone condition in his arm and a knee problem. Ranked 143rd currently, Draper failed to advance past the early rounds in both Montreal and Cincinnati. His best performance in a Grand Slam came at the 2024 US Open, where he reached the semifinals. Former world number four Holger Rune will also miss the US Open. The Danish player, now ranked 102, has not played an official match since October 2024 after suffering a severe left Achilles injury. Rune’s team opted against competing in a Grand Slam as his return to action. He had been training with Alcaraz in Murcia, and in a social media post, Rune expressed gratitude for the collaboration. “I want to thank you, Carlos, and your team, for a great week of training in Murcia. I am very happy with my improvements and my level, we keep working,” Rune wrote, accompanied by a photograph featuring Alcaraz. The withdrawals of Sinner, Draper, and Rune mark a significant shift in the men’s tennis landscape heading into the US Open. With several top players sidelined, the competition may see fewer high-profile matchups, altering the dynamics of the tournament. As the event approaches, fans will be watching closely to see how these absences impact the outcome of the season’s final Grand Slam.