World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has announced that he will miss the remainder of the 2026 season due to an ongoing knee injury. The Italian tennis star has been sidelined since his Wimbledon final victory in July and confirmed that he will not return to competitive action this year. This injury setback is expected to cost Sinner his position at the top of the ATP rankings.
Sinner's knee injury will prevent him from defending his US Open title and participating in remaining tournaments where he won titles in 2025. These tournaments include events in China, Vienna, Paris, and the ATP Finals. The 25-year-old Italian had a dominant 2026 campaign, winning five consecutive Masters 1000 titles between March and July.
Despite the injury, Sinner's 2026 season has been statistically stronger than his previous two campaigns. He won all six finals he contested this year and posted a 94 percent winning record, the best of his career. Sinner's management team said he would undergo treatment for inflammation in his knee to allow him to recover before beginning preparations for the 2027 season.
Sinner announced his decision on Instagram, stating that he had consulted with doctors before opting for a course of treatment. He emphasized the need to prioritize his long-term career, saying, "I will do everything possible to get back 100%." The Italian tennis star is expected to focus on recovering fully, with the Australian Open in January viewed as a potential target for his return.
The prolonged absence is expected to allow Alexander Zverev to overtake Sinner at the top of the ATP rankings. Zverev is currently 1,280 points behind Sinner in the live rankings. Sinner's dominant 2026 campaign included his Wimbledon triumph, making him the first player in the series' history to achieve five consecutive Masters 1000 titles.
Sinner's management team and doctors are working together to ensure a full recovery. The 25-year-old Italian has enjoyed an exceptional 2026 campaign, despite the injury setback. His priority now is to address the knee problem and protect his long-term career after another dominant season at the top of men's tennis.
Sinner expressed gratitude to his fans for their support, saying, "I thank you already in advance for your support and hope to see you very, very soon on [the] court again." The Italian tennis star is expected to return to competitive action in 2027, with the Australian Open being a potential target.
Key points
- Sinner will miss the remainder of the 2026 season due to a knee injury.
- The injury is expected to cost Sinner his position at the top of the ATP rankings.
- Sinner is expected to return to competitive action in 2027, with the Australian Open being a potential target.
