Jannik Sinner OUT of US Open with injury with rival Carlos Alcaraz set to RETURN at tournament after four months out

Jannik Sinner of Italy reacts after winning against Alexander Zverev of Germany in the men’s singles final at Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Credit: AP JANNIK SINNER has suffered a huge US Open blow after the world No1 was forced to pull out of the final Grand Slam of the year. The Wimbledon champion, 25, has not played competitively since lifting his fifth major title at SW19 last month. Jannik Sinner lifts the Wimbledon trophy after claiming his fifth Grand Slam title in July Credit: Reuters Sinner is left devastated after being forced to withdraw from the US Open with a knee injury Credit: Getty Sinner revealed he is still struggling with a right knee problem and has been unable to recover in time for the tournament at Flushing Meadows. He said: “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.” Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Dream Team is back, free, and there’s £100,000 up for grabs! Sinner had returned to the practice court in Monte Carlo in recent days as he attempted to build up his fitness ahead of the tournament. But the Italian admitted he and his team realised he needed more time before making his comeback. He added: “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.” The decision is a bitter one for Sinner, who has dominated the men’s game for much of 2026 and sits comfortably at the top of the world rankings. He produced a sensational run at Wimbledon last month, beating Alexander Zverev in the final to claim his fifth Grand Slam singles crown. Sinner has lost just three matches this year, with one of those defeats coming against Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open semi-finals. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Carlos Alcaraz is set to make his US Open comeback after four months out with a wrist injury Credit: Getty He also completed the Sunshine Double by winning Indian Wells and Miami without dropping a set, before adding another major trophy to his collection at the All England Club. But his knee problem has now robbed him of the chance to add another US Open crown to his collection after he won the tournament in 2024 and finished runner-up last year. And Sinner admitted the decision was particularly painful because of his connection with New York. He said: “I’m obviously very sad and disappointed, as New York has a special place in my heart. His withdrawal comes just days after great rival Carlos Alcaraz confirmed he WILL play in New York after a four-month absence caused by a wrist injury. The Spaniard has not played competitively since April after suffering the problem in Barcelona, but has gradually stepped up his training in preparation for his return. Alcaraz became the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam when he won the Australian Open in January, and he also lifted the US Open title as a teenager in 2022. The 23-year-old then beat Sinner in four sets to win the tournament again last year. Sinner, left, vs Alcaraz, right, has become the biggest rivalry in modern day tennis Credit: AP With the Italian now absent, Alcaraz will suddenly find himself as one of the biggest names left standing when the action begins on Sunday, August 30. Sinner had been set to arrive in New York without any competitive hard-court match practice after also pulling out of Cincinnati with his knee issue. Now he will instead focus on recovering fully before returning to action, while Alcaraz attempts to make up for lost time on the biggest stage. The US Open singles event begins on August 30, with Sinner’s shock absence leaving the men’s draw wide open and handing his old rival a huge opportunity on his comeback. Comment now