Jannik Sinner withdraws from US Open due to lingering knee injury
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the 2026 U.S. Open due to a persistent right knee injury. The announcement came on Friday, 21 August 2026, when Sinner revealed on social media that his physical condition has not improved sufficiently to handle the rigours of a full Grand Slam fortnight.
"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. 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."
Image via nypost.comImage via usatoday.comImage via eonline.com
Jannik Sinner, World No. 1 tennis player, via New York Post
The injury has sidelined Sinner since his triumph at Wimbledon on July 12, where he defeated Alexander Zverev in four sets to capture his fifth career Grand Slam title and his second consecutive crown at the All England Club. Sinner previously skipped the Canadian Open (which began on August 2) and the Cincinnati Open in an effort to rest the joint. When he withdrew from the Cincinnati tournament, he noted that his right knee had been bothering him and that he was focusing on getting ready for New York. This withdrawal breaks a remarkable streak, marking the first major tournament Sinner has missed since making his Grand Slam debut at the U.S. Open in 2019.
The absence of the defending 2024 champion radically alters the competitive landscape in Queens. Carlos Taberner will step directly into the main draw to replace Sinner. Meanwhile, the tournament's seeding structure shifts in response to the world number one's departure. Because U.S. Open seeds are based directly on the ATP rankings before the tournament, any player who withdraws causes others to move up. Sinner safely maintains a massive rankings cushion of more than 5,000 points over the rest of the ATP field, meaning his spot at the top of the rankings goes unchallenged despite missing the season's final major.
Tournament Seed Adjustments and Contender Outlook
Alexander Zverev: The French Open champion inherits the top seed position in New York, as outlined by Adnkronos coverage and official tournament mechanics.
Carlos Alcaraz: Moving into the second seed slot, Alcaraz returns to competition after a four-month absence caused by a wrist injury sustained at the Barcelona Open in April. Alcaraz and Sinner have combined to win ten of the last eleven major titles.
Felix Auger-Aliassime: The Canadian competitor steps up to occupy the third seed position.
Novak Djokovic: The veteran competitor remains active in the field as he continues his pursuit of a historic twenty-fifth major title.
American Challengers: Analysts suggest Sinner's absence opens a window for American players such as Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, and Ben Shelton to mount a deep run at a home Grand Slam. Fritz lost to Sinner in straight sets in the 2024 final after defeating Tiafoe in an all-American semifinal, while Shelton has reached previous major semifinals.
Contextual reports from the New York Post emphasize that American men have historically struggled to secure a Grand Slam title over the last two decades, making the shifted draw an intensely watched storyline for local supporters. Sinner's absence caps a dominant yet physically challenging calendar year that included a 44-3 record in singles play and titles at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo, Madrid, and Rome, alongside his Wimbledon victory.
What to Watch Next
The United States Tennis Association is scheduled to formally announce the official tournament seeds.
The tournament main draw will be unveiled on August 27, establishing the immediate paths for Alcaraz, Zverev, and the rest of the field.
The 2026 U.S. Open main competition officially commences on August 30 and runs through September 13 in Queens.
Following his recovery, Sinner may target a return to the ATP circuit during the September swing in Asia, including potential title defenses at the Chengdu and Hangzhou Opens, though he was not able to provide a firm timetable upon withdrawing.
