Jannik Sinner will miss the Rolex Shanghai Masters after withdrawing from the tournament due to ongoing knee pain, extending an absence from the ATP Tour that stretches back to his appearance in the Wimbledon final in July 2026. “Leider werde ich dieses Jahr nicht wie erhofft beim Rolex Shanghai Masters spielen können,” Sinner wrote in a social media statement on Saturday, adding that he regrets missing the event in front of Chinese fans.
Jannik Sinner Withdraws From Shanghai Masters Due to Persistent Knee Pain
The 25-year-old Italian has not competed in a match since his Wimbledon title clash against Alexander Zverev in July 2026. Sinner announced on Saturday that his recovery from lingering knee issues requires further time off, forcing his withdrawal from the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Shanghai, which begins on October 7. Reports from Italian media outlets indicate that his physical discomfort intensifies whenever he bends his knee, raising the possibility that the world-class competitor may require a surgical procedure to resolve the joint problem.
Diego Nargiso Warns of Chronic or Structural Injury Risks
Former Italian professional tennis player Diego Nargiso voiced serious concern over the prolonged layoff, telling the Italian publication Tuttosport that public worries regarding Sinner’s fitness are entirely justified. The 56-year-old former Davis Cup player stated his belief that Sinner and his team previously managed the joint issue through careful physical therapy and targeted muscle strengthening until it reached a breaking point. Nargiso noted that a three-month absence from the court points toward a deeper physical complication, suggesting the injury is either chronic or structural in nature.
“Eine Entzündung kann durch Überlastung entstehen, aber Überlastung hat immer eine Ursache, nämlich ein Ungleichgewicht zwischen Knochen, Sehnen, Bändern und Muskeln,” Nargiso told Tuttosport, explaining that inflammation typically stems from imbalances within the musculoskeletal system. Nargiso added that Sinner played consistently without major surgical interruptions until five or six months ago, noting that a standard inflammation generally resolves within three to four weeks once a proper medical solution is identified.
Sinner Withdraws from Rolex Shanghai Masters
Sinner’s withdrawal from the Shanghai event removes one of the tour’s top draws from the autumn hard-court swing and leaves his immediate return date unconfirmed. The Rolex Shanghai Masters officially commences on October 7, 2026, without the Italian star in the main draw. Further updates regarding a potential surgical intervention or an updated rehabilitation timeline depend on official announcements from Sinner and his coaching staff.
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