Jannik Sinner forced to withdraw from 2026 US Open in major tennis update: 'Sad and disappointed'

Jannik Sinner forced to withdraw from 2026 US Open in major tennis update: 'Sad and disappointed' originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The US Open will be without one of its biggest stars when it returns to New York next week.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, will miss out on the famous competition. The Italian announced that he will opt out of the tournament as he recovers from a right knee injury.

Sinner, 25, skipped tournaments in Montreal and Cincinnati as a result of the issue. His absence will leave the rowdiest of the four Grand Slam tournaments without one of its most famous conductors.

Here's what you need to know.

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Sinner withdrew from the Cincinnati Open earlier this month, revealing that he had been cut down by a right knee injury. He offered a similar explanation when announcing his plan to withdrawal from the U.S. Open.

"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 wrote on X. "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.

"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."

Sinner last played at Wimbledon, claiming his fifth Grand Slam trophy while showing no signs of right knee discomfort.

Sinner surged to his second-straight Wimbledon title on July 12, downing Alexander Zverev in four sets to hoist the silver jug. He looked unfettered by lower leg pain in the contest, darting across the green expanse before delivering his patented blend of fiery forehand and backhand strokes.

Sinner sat out the Montreal Masters and Cincinnati Open. He cited right knee trouble as the reason for his absence from the latter competition.

“After consulting with my doctors and my team, I have to announce that I need to withdraw from the Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati,” Sinner’s statement read. “My right knee has been bothering me and even though we have been working hard with my medical team, I have to accept that I’m not ready to compete yet.”