World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has announced he will miss the remainder of the 2026 tennis season due to a persistent right knee injury that has troubled him since his Wimbledon triumph over Alexander Zverev.
The 25-year-old Italian star will focus on intensive rehabilitation and medical care in hopes of returning at full strength in 2027.
Although neither Sinner nor his team has pinpointed the exact moment of the injury, they have described it as severe right knee inflammation. The issue forced him to withdraw from the U.S. Open earlier this year, dashing hopes of another deep run so soon after his fifth Grand Slam title.
"Me, together with the doctors, have decided that I need a course of treatment for my knee, which means that the 2026 season is
officially over," Sinner said on Tuesday in a video message on Instagram. "I also need to think about my long-term career, so I will do everything possible to get back 100%."
Sinner’s absence means he will miss several marquee tournaments, including the Shanghai Masters, the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals in November. He will also be unable to represent Italy in the Davis Cup Final 8, leaving a significant gap in the lineup for the three-time defending champions.
Sinner’s indefinite absence also puts his No. 1 PIF ATP Ranking in jeopardy. Zverev, who captured two of this year’s four Grand Slam titles, is closing the points gap and could overtake Sinner at the top of the rankings.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jannik Sinner shuts down 2026 season to recover from knee injury
