Jannik Sinner, the top-seeded player, announced his withdrawal from the U.S. Open on Friday due to an ongoing right knee injury that has prevented him from competing since his victory at Wimbledon.
Sinner triumphed over Alexander Zverev last month, securing his second consecutive title at the prestigious All England Club. However, he subsequently opted out of the hard-court events in Montreal and Cincinnati, which are typically seen as preparation for the U.S. Open.
The 25-year-old Italian shared on Friday that he would not be fit for the tournament’s main draw, which kicks off on August 30.
“Despite putting in significant effort with my team and medical professionals, we have regrettably concluded that I will not be able to participate in the U.S. Open this year,” Sinner stated in a post on X.
“We have recently returned to the court in Monte Carlo and recognized that I require additional time to heal from my right knee issue. I am truly saddened and disappointed, as New York holds a special significance for me. I was eagerly anticipating returning to play in the vibrant atmosphere and in front of the amazing fans there.”
Sinner claimed the U.S. Open title in 2024 and faced off against Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the previous year’s tournament.
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 been a highlight of men’s tennis in recent times, with them clashing in the last three Grand Slam finals in 2025. Alcaraz secured the latest encounter with a four-set victory in New York.
This outcome marked the end of Sinner’s title reign, which began after his straight sets win against Taylor Fritz in the 2024 final.
This year, Sinner has an impressive record of 44 wins and just 3 losses, along with six titles to his name. He experienced a remarkable downfall at the French Open, where he squandered a two-set lead while battling the heat in his second-round match against Juan Manuel Cerundolo. He then took a break until Wimbledon, where his victory brought his total to five Grand Slam titles.
This will be the first Grand Slam tournament that Sinner has missed since his major debut at the U.S. Open in 2019.