Jannik Sinner withdraws from US Open as Carlos Alcaraz returns

World No 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the US Open because he needs more time to recover from a right knee problem. His main rival, former world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz, will return to competition after more than four months on the sidelines.

Sinner’s decision followed his absence from the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open. He also missed the Canadian tournament in 2025, but his withdrawal from Cincinnati and the disclosure of his knee issue increased concern over his participation in New York.

The Italian had resumed work on court in Monte Carlo with his team and medical staff before deciding that he was not ready to compete. He described the withdrawal as a major disappointment and said the US Open had particular importance for him.

Alcaraz’s return comes after a right wrist injury suffered during his opening match against Otto Virtanen at the Barcelona Open on April 14. The Spaniard completed a straight-sets win, then pulled out of the tournament the following day.

The injury kept Alcaraz out of the French Open, Wimbledon and Cincinnati Open. His comeback was confirmed on Thursday through an Instagram post featuring his new Nike US Open kit, followed by a video in which he told supporters that he was back.

Sinner’s absence removes the world’s top-ranked player from the final Grand Slam of the season, while Alcaraz returns as the world No 2. Their contrasting situations reshape the event before play begins, with one leading contender sidelined and another entering after an extended recovery.