The top-seeded Jannik Sinner announced his withdrawal from the U.S. Open on Friday, as he has been unable to recover from a right knee injury that has kept him off the court since his victory at Wimbledon.
Sinner claimed his second consecutive title at the All England Club last month by defeating Alexander Zverev. However, he subsequently pulled out of the hard-court events in Montreal and Cincinnati, which are typically preparatory tournaments for the U.S. Open.
The 25-year-old Italian stated on Friday that he will not be fit to compete when the tournament begins on August 30.
“Despite my efforts alongside my team and medical personnel, we have had to make the tough choice that I won’t be able to participate in the U.S. Open this year,” Sinner shared in a post on X.
“We returned to the courts in Monte Carlo over the last few days and have concluded that I need additional time to heal from my right knee injury. I am truly saddened and disappointed, as New York holds a special significance for me. I was eagerly anticipating returning and playing in the vibrant atmosphere before the wonderful fans there.”
Sinner was the reigning champion of the U.S. Open and had lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the previous year.
On Thursday, Alcaraz took to social media to announce his readiness to compete in New York after being sidelined since April due to a right wrist injury.
The competition between these two players has significantly influenced men’s tennis in recent years, with their encounters in the last three Grand Slam finals of 2025. Alcaraz secured the latest victory in that series with a four-set win in New York.
This victory ended Sinner’s reign as champion, which began when he defeated Taylor Fritz in straight sets during the 2024 final.
This year, Sinner boasts a record of 44 wins and 3 losses, along with six titles. His performance at the French Open was notably disappointing as he squandered a two-set lead in a second-round match against Juan Manuel Cerundolo amid challenging heat. He then returned to action at Wimbledon, where he claimed his fifth Grand Slam title.
This marks the first time Sinner will miss a Grand Slam event since his debut at the U.S. Open in 2019.