Knee injury halts Sinner's 2026 campaign
Jannik Sinner announced on 6 October 2026 that he is ending his competitive season early because of persistent right knee pain. The 25-year-old Italian world number one had not played a match since winning the Wimbledon final on 12 July 2026. A mid-September attempt to resume training in Monte Carlo failed when the joint could not withstand increased physical loads, resulting in a relapse. Sinner officially withdrew from the China Open on 25 September 2026 after travel plans were cancelled. His shutdown leaves him out of the Shanghai Masters, the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia, the ATP Finals, and the Davis Cup with Italy. Alexander Zverev is positioned to take over the world number one ranking during Sinner's absence.
- Sinner wins the Wimbledon final, his last competitive match of the season.
- Training intensity increases in Monte Carlo during an effort to play in Beijing.
- Sinner officially withdraws from the China Open after a physical relapse.
- Sinner announces the early end to his 2026 campaign to treat his knee injury.
Medical evaluation and conservative recovery plan
Medical assessments identified the injury as right iliotibial band syndrome, a chronic tendinopathy caused by repetitive friction of connective tissue outside the knee. Orthopedic specialist Herbert Schoenhuber referred Sinner to doctor Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet at Hopital Jean Mermoz in Lyon. At the French clinic, Sinner received platelet-rich plasma therapy to promote tissue healing without requiring surgical intervention. The treatment protocol mandates conservative care, beginning with roughly 20 days of rest in Val Pusteria and a full month without holding a tennis racket. Sinner plans to resume conditioning work in Monte Carlo once inflammation recedes, aiming for a competitive return at the 2027 Australian Open. Organizers in Australia may see him arrive ahead of schedule for preparation tournaments such as Brisbane or exhibition events.
Commercial commitments and team scrutiny
The push to return for the China Open stemmed partly from commercial obligations linking Sinner to the tournament in Beijing. The Italian player concluded an agreement to contest three future editions in Beijing, alongside the 2030 event to compensate for missing the 2026 tournament. The rush to increase training volume before Beijing drew internal and external scrutiny regarding whether commercial agreements compromised athletic preparation. Sinner's core coaching staff faces prospective adjustments ahead of 2027, with Australian coach Darren Cahill approaching potential retirement after extending his contract through 2026. Primary coach Simone Vagnozzi, who has worked with Sinner since 2022, continues to lead the technical group alongside athletic trainer Umberto Ferrara and physiotherapist Alejandro Resnicoff.
Tour rivals endorse long-term perspective
Fellow players competing at the Shanghai Masters voiced backing for Sinner's decision to withdraw and protect his future career. Novak Djokovic, arriving in Shanghai after winning the ATP 500 title in Beijing, pointed to the mental hurdles of long injury layoffs.
Thinking long term is a smart choice: it is important to give yourself more years in your career, so you have more chances to achieve all your goals.
Matteo Berrettini also reached out to Sinner ahead of his Shanghai opening match against Brandon Nakashima.
At the same time, I know that he has one of the best teams in the world, he has the best level of play and the best mentality that I have ever seen in my life. So I am sure that if he made this decision it was the right one for him, and I am sure he will come back stronger.
Italian compatriot Lorenzo Musetti also resumed competition in Shanghai following hand issues that dropped him to 26th in the ATP rankings, targeting a 2027 calendar without physical interruptions.