Jannik Sinner will not defend his China Open title. The world number one announced his withdrawal from the Beijing tournament on Friday, extending an absence that now stretches back to his Wimbledon triumph in July.
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A knee that is not ready
"My knee is not where I would like it to be and I am not ready to compete yet," the Italian said in a video posted on social media. "I will do everything possible to be on court as soon as I can." At 25, Sinner is enduring the most frustrating stretch of his career: five Grand Slam titles to his name, but a body that refuses to keep pace.
Three months and counting
Sinner's last competitive match dates back to July 12, when he defeated Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 in the Wimbledon final. Since then, his right knee has never allowed a return to competition. He first missed the North American hard-court swing, then announced his withdrawal from the US Open in late August, the Grand Slam he had won in 2024. Beijing was widely seen as the target date for his comeback. This latest withdrawal pushes that timeline further back.
Beijing holds a special place for Sinner
The China Open carries particular significance in the Italian's career. In three appearances, Sinner reached the final every time, lifting the trophy in 2023 and again in 2025. Losing the chance to defend his title on such favorable ground hurts both competitively and in the rankings. With 11,500 points, Sinner still holds a comfortable lead over Zverev (9,690 points), but weeks without playing steadily erode that margin.
Shanghai next on the horizon
The next realistic stop for Sinner is the Shanghai Masters 1000, scheduled from October 7 to 18. Should the knee still not cooperate, Vienna in late October, the Paris Masters, and the ATP Finals in Turin, where the Italian is defending champion, remain on the calendar. The end of the season, typically his strongest period, is now a race against time.
Key numbers from Sinner's 2026 season
Before the injury, the Italian boasted a 42-4 record in 2026, with titles at the Australian Open, Rotterdam, and Wimbledon. His 91% win rate ranked among the best of the decade. The return of the world number one remains the biggest question mark heading into the final stretch of the ATP season.
