Sinner out of US Open with knee injury

Jannik Sinner will miss the US Open with a right knee injury, according to the BBC and the Guardian. The world number one has not played a match since beating Alexander Zverev last month to successfully defend his Wimbledon title, and has now made what he called a "difficult decision" to sit out the season's final grand slam at Flushing Meadows.

Britain's Jack Draper has also withdrawn, still recovering from a bone bruise in his left arm. The Guardian reported that Sinner's absence leaves the men's draw without its top seed, a significant blow to a tournament that had hoped to showcase the sport's newest rivalry.

The withdrawal marks the first grand slam Sinner has missed since ascending to the top of the rankings. His right knee problem has been managed carefully through the summer, but the decision to skip New York suggests the issue is more persistent than initially thought.

Sinner's rise has been the defining story of men's tennis over the past year. The 25-year-old Italian claimed his second consecutive Wimbledon title last month, cementing his status as the sport's dominant figure. The Guardian's report noted that his absence from the US Open will reshape the draw, with the chasing pack — including Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic — now seeing a clearer path to the title.

For Italian tennis, the news is a sobering counterpoint to a golden era. Sinner's success has driven a surge in participation and interest at home, with the country's tennis federation reporting record youth enrollment. His withdrawal from New York will be felt not just in the stands at Flushing Meadows but in the academies and clubs across Italy where his name has become a rallying point.

The BBC noted that Draper's exit compounds the disappointment, removing another leading contender from the draw. For Sinner, the priority now will be rest and rehabilitation ahead of the Asian swing, where he will look to defend ranking points and build toward the season-ending ATP Finals. The Guardian quoted him as saying the decision was made with an eye on his long-term career, a signal that the knee will be managed cautiously rather than rushed back.

The timing is awkward for the sport's calendar. The US Open is the final major of the year, and Sinner's absence denies the tournament its headline act. But for Italian fans, the broader picture remains bright: at 25, Sinner has years ahead of him, and the Wimbledon title defence proved he can perform on the biggest stages. The question now is how quickly the knee heals and whether he can return to full fitness before the indoor season begins.