Jannik Sinner has officially withdrawn from the 2026 China Open in Beijing, announcing that his right knee remains unfit for professional competition. The world number one, who has not played a competitive match since winning Wimbledon on July 12, 2026, confirmed his absence in a video message released through tournament channels.
Knee Injury Extends Sabbatical from Tour
The persistent right knee problem continues to sideline the top-ranked Italian, who has already missed the ATP Masters 1000 events in Montreal and Cincinnati, alongside the US Open. Sinner acknowledged that despite accumulating roughly ten days of normal training recently, his physical condition falls short of what is required for top-tier competition. The latest setback pushes his competitive hiatus past the two-month mark.
“I am very sorry to announce that I will not be able to play in Beijing this year,” Sinner said in his video address. “My knee is still not where I would like it to be, and I am not ready to compete, but I will do everything possible to return to the courts as soon as possible.”
Title Defense Cancelled in Beijing
Sinner entered the ATP 500 event as the defending champion, having triumphed in the Chinese capital last season. Because he cannot defend his crown at the National Tennis Center, the Italian will forfeit 500 ranking points. Tournament organizers issued a brief statement acknowledging the withdrawal: “As a two-time champion, Jannik Sinner shares a deep bond with the China Open. We understand and respect his decision, and thank him for his long-standing support. We wish him a speedy recovery.”
Implications for the ATP Rankings and Alexander Zverev
The withdrawal carries immediate consequences for the battle at the top of the men’s professional rankings. Sinner currently holds the number one spot with an advantage of 1,810 points over Alexander Zverev. With the German defending only 100 points in Beijing following a run to the quarterfinals last year, Zverev holds a mathematical window to narrow the gap significantly should he capture the title this week.
If Zverev wins the Beijing crown, he could slice Sinner’s lead down to 910 points and arrive at the upcoming Shanghai Masters with a chance to challenge for the top ranking. Both players exited the Shanghai tournament in the second round during the previous season.
Next Steps and Return Timeline
Sinner’s immediate recovery focus shifts toward the ATP Masters 1000 in Shanghai, which runs from October 7 to October 18, 2026. Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz is set to contest the competing ATP 500 event in Tokyo this week.
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