Jannik Sinner Withdraws From US Open 2026 With Knee Injury

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has confirmed that he will not compete at the US Open 2026 as he continues to recover from a right knee injury. The 2024 champion said he and his team made the difficult decision after returning to the court in Monte Carlo, where it became clear that more recovery time was needed.

Sinner’s withdrawal removes one of the leading names from the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year. The Italian has particular history at the event after winning the US Open in 2024, but his planned return to New York will now have to wait while he manages the injury setback.

Sinner says more recovery time is needed

In a statement, Sinner said he had been working hard with his team and medical staff but could not yet commit to competing in New York. “Even though I have been working hard with my team and my medical staff, we have now had to make the difficult decision that I will not be able to compete at the US Open this year,” Sinner said.

He added that the recent work in Monte Carlo had provided an important assessment of his condition. “We have been back on court in Monte Carlo over the last couple of days and have realised that I still need more time to recover from my right knee issue,” Sinner said.

The World No. 1 also underlined his disappointment at missing an event that holds special significance for him. “I’m obviously very sad and disappointed, as New York has a special place in my heart,” he said. “I was very much looking forward to coming back and playing in the electric atmosphere in front of the great fans there.”

The decision means Sinner will not attempt to add another US Open title to the trophy he won in 2024. His absence comes after he won Wimbledon earlier this year, a tournament played without Carlos Alcaraz.

Alcaraz confirms return for New York

Sinner’s announcement came a day after Carlos Alcaraz confirmed that he would return from a wrist injury at the US Open. Alcaraz is the defending US Open champion and has been sidelined since April with a right wrist issue that forced him to miss both the French Open and Wimbledon.

The two players met in last year’s US Open final in New York, with Alcaraz winning in four sets. Their recent Grand Slam meetings and contrasting injury situations have made their availability a major point of attention ahead of the tournament.

Alcaraz, described as a seven-time Grand Slam champion, is set to return after his extended absence, while Sinner’s focus is on allowing his right knee additional time to recover. The US Open will therefore proceed without its 2024 champion, but with the defending champion preparing to resume competition.

For Sinner, the immediate priority is recovery rather than a New York title defence. His statement made clear that the decision was reached with his team and medical staff following the recent court sessions in Monte Carlo. The withdrawal closes the door on his US Open participation this year, while leaving his return to competition dependent on further progress with the knee issue.

What Sinner’s absence means

Sinner’s withdrawal is significant because it rules the World No. 1 out of the season’s final Grand Slam and prevents a repeat of last year’s US Open final between Sinner and Alcaraz. It also follows a year in which Sinner won Wimbledon and Alcaraz missed that event while recovering from his wrist injury.

With Alcaraz now confirmed to play and Sinner unavailable, the US Open field will feature the defending champion but not the 2024 winner. Sinner’s message, however, centred on the need to give his right knee the time required for recovery before he returns to tournament action.