World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has pulled out of the 2026 US Open after failing to recover fully from a right knee injury that already forced him to miss tournaments in Montreal and Cincinnati.
Sinner announced his withdrawal on Friday, saying additional recovery time was needed despite working closely with his team and medical staff. The Italian star entered the season as one of the biggest favorites for the hard-court major after an outstanding run of results.
The 2026 season has been another dominant campaign for Sinner, who owns a 44-3 record and has captured six major titles at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, Rome and Wimbledon.
“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. 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 posted on Instagram on Friday.
Sinner disappointed to miss New York return
The Italian has built a strong connection with US Open fans in recent years. After winning his first title at Flushing Meadows in 2024, Sinner reached the 2025 final before losing to Carlos Alcaraz.
Sinner said missing the tournament was especially difficult because of his relationship with the New York crowd and his excitement about returning to the venue.
“I’m obviously very sad and disappointed, as New York has a special place in my heart. I was very much looking forward to coming back and playing in the electric atmosphere in front of the great fans there,” he said.
The withdrawal ends Sinner’s hopes of continuing his impressive run at the hard-court Grand Slam. His absence also creates a major shift in the men’s singles draw, removing one of the tournament’s biggest contenders.
Alcaraz, Djokovic and Zverev among new favorites
Sinner’s exit opens the door for several top players, including Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic.
Alcaraz confirmed he would compete at the US Open shortly before Sinner’s announcement. The defending champion will now have a clearer path toward another deep run after returning from a wrist injury.
Before Zverev won the Roland Garros title in June, Alcaraz and Sinner had dominated men’s tennis, combining to win the previous nine Grand Slam championships. Alcaraz claimed five of those major trophies.
Zverev will also see a renewed opportunity in New York. The German came close to winning the US Open title in 2020, when he lost the final to Dominic Thiem after holding a significant lead.
American contenders gain a major opportunity
Sinner’s withdrawal could also improve the chances of American players hoping to end a long drought in men’s Grand Slam singles.
The United States has not produced a men’s major singles champion since 2003, but players such as Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz now have an opportunity to make a historic run.
Shelton enters the tournament with confidence after winning the Montreal title, while Fritz will look to build on his 2024 US Open runner-up finish, where he lost the final to Sinner.
Other contenders, including Felix Auger-Aliassime and Roland Garros finalist Flavio Cobolli, will also aim to take advantage of a more open draw.
With Sinner absent, the 2026 US Open is expected to feature a wide-open battle among established champions and emerging stars looking for a breakthrough.
Elijah Romero is a music journalist covering concert tours, ticket announcements, and live show schedules across all genres. She tracks major artist tour dates as they’re announced and helps fans stay updated on presale information, venue details, and where to find tickets. Elijah has been following the live music industry since 2019.