Jannik Sinner is moving on: the next phase of his recovery from injury
Jannik Sinner is ready to start a new chapter. Just as the U.S. Open—which he was forced to miss due to injury—was reaching its climax with the final between Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton, the South Tyrolean champion left Turin and the J-Medical facility. There, he focused on recovering from the extra-articular tendinopathy in his right knee that he has been battling recently, setting his sights once again on a return to the court, which is expected to take place between Beijing and Shanghai. “I’ve played almost no tennis. But I’ve received a lot of gifts, and I thank everyone,” commented the ATP No. 1, who will now continue his training in Monte Carlo.
The South Tyrolean’s recovery program has been meticulous and divided into specific phases: first, managing the inflammation at J-Medical; then, a cycle of strengthening and stabilizing the joint; and finally, a series of on-court tests to assess his movements, footwork, and knee reactions while holding a racket. The results were encouraging, and after consulting with physical therapists and trainers, he received the green light to move on to the next phase. Awaiting him in the Principality is coach Simone Vagnozzi, ready to reintegrate him into his technical routine and guide him through the most delicate part of his recovery, with progressively increasing training loads.
During this period, Sinner has chosen to keep a low public profile, though he has allowed himself two brief interludes related to his great passions: a visit to the Monza paddock during the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix and attending the Juventus–Milan match at the Stadium in Turin, just a short walk from the medical center where he underwent most of his rehabilitation. Signs of a return to normalcy, as he awaits a return to competitive play.
His stated goal is the ATP 500 in Beijing, scheduled for early October, a tournament in which Sinner is the defending champion. The Chinese organizers have expressed optimism about his participation, but the final decision will depend entirely on how his knee responds during his first few days of training in Monte Carlo. More certainty is expected regarding Shanghai, another key event in the Asian season finale.
Rafael Nadal spoke on the topic of injuries when interviewed by Sky Sport in Madrid. The Spanish legend, who has had to deal with physical problems several times throughout his career, commented on Sinner’s and Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawals with the wisdom of someone who knows the subject well: “I think these setbacks are normal; they’re due to the fact that professional athletes place too great a physical strain on themselves. After two or three years of such intense physical exertion, injuries can happen, and both players need to factor that in. Let’s see how things develop for both of them, but it seems to me they’re doing very well.”
