World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the 2026 U.S. Open due to an ongoing right knee injury, closing out his Grand Slam season with a single title at Wimbledon. The decision opens the tournament draw for Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, and Novak Djokovic as the major kicks off in New York.
The tennis world will head to Flushing Meadows without its top-ranked player. Jannik Sinner announced on social media that he has officially withdrawn from the 2026 U.S. Open, dealing a heavy blow to his campaign after a season marked by both a major title and persistent physical setbacks. The announcement comes just weeks after the 25-year-old Italian won his second straight title at the All England Club by defeating Alexander Zverev in the gentlemen’s final on July 12.
The Knee Injury That Derailed the U.S. Open Build-Up
Sinner has not played a competitive match since his triumph at the All England Club, sidelined by a right knee issue that first flared up in early August. His physical struggles forced him to withdraw from the Canadian Open in Montreal, where he cited health reasons before pulling out of the Cincinnati Open as well. An attempted training block in Monte Carlo proved that his body was still not ready for the rigors of a two-week Grand Slam.
The reigning champion added that returning to New York held a special place in his heart, making the decision to withdraw especially painful. His absence marks the first major tournament Sinner has missed since the 2019 French Open, during his days on the Challenger Tour. It also halts his streak of consistency at Flushing Meadows, where he lifted the trophy in 2024 and reached the final a year ago.
A Frustrating Year of Injury at the Top
Sinner’s withdrawal underscores a frustrating trend at the summit of men’s tennis. According to reports covering the men’s tour, Sinner’s exit makes it three consecutive Grand Slam tournaments in which one of the top two players in the world sat out due to injury. Last season, Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz engaged in a series of instant classics at the French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open finals.
This year, the script flipped to physical distress. Alcaraz missed both the French Open and Wimbledon due to a wrist injury sustained back in April at the Barcelona Open. Consequently, tennis fans are guaranteed to go a full year without seeing the two dominant forces face off in a major tournament.
Reshaping the Draw in New York
With Sinner out of the picture, the tournament structure shifts dramatically. Alexander Zverev, who claimed his first major title earlier this year at the French Open, moves into the No. 1 seed position. Carlos Alcaraz arrives in New York holding the No. 2 seed despite his four-month layoff.
The reshuffled draw also clears a pathway for contenders looking to break through. Novak Djokovic remains in the field bidding for a record 25th major title, though he has not won a Grand Slam since the 2023 U.S. Open. Meanwhile, American standouts Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz find themselves with an open opportunity to snap the 23-year drought since an American man last won a major.
Broader Withdrawals and Record Stakes
The injury bug has not stopped with Sinner. The Tennis Association of Great Britain (LTA) announced that Jack Draper will also miss the tournament due to a lingering left arm injury that has derailed a season that once saw him climb to No. 4 in the world rankings. Former No. 4 Holger Rune has similarly withdrawn to continue his recovery from an Achilles tendon injury.
Despite the absence of several top names, the financial incentive for those stepping onto the hard courts remains at an all-time high. This year’s singles champions will each receive a record $5.5 million prize.
What Comes Next on the Hard Courts
The official U.S. Open draw is scheduled to be announced on August 27, setting the stage for main draw competition to run from August 30 through September 13. Carlos Taberner has been added directly to the main draw following Sinner’s withdrawal, while medical staff and players monitor Alcaraz’s recovery as he prepares for his first competitive test in months.
