Jannik Sinner, another painful announcement: the Italian champion doesn’t mince words
Jannik Sinner will also miss the Shanghai Masters 1000, scheduled for October 7–18. The announcement came directly from the world No. 1 via his official social media channels. “Unfortunately, I won’t be able to play in the Rolex Shanghai Masters this year as I had hoped,” Sinner explained. “I’ve always enjoyed playing in front of the fans in Shanghai, and I’m very sorry I won’t be able to do so next week. Thank you for all your support. I can’t wait to see you all again next year.”
The South Tyrolean’s withdrawal marks a new chapter in the complex physical situation that has kept him off the courts since the Wimbledon final. According to the latest information that has emerged in recent days, Sinner is reportedly “clinically recovered” from the extra-articular tendon inflammation in his right knee, with his training sessions in Monte Carlo described as increasingly intense. However, the decision to skip Shanghai suggests a strategy of extreme caution for his return.
The impact on his ranking will be limited: the world No. 1 will lose only 50 points in the rankings when they are updated on October 19. Last year in Shanghai, in fact, Sinner withdrew during his third-round match against Tallon Griekspoor due to a leg injury, thus earning only a modest number of ranking points.
Sinner’s prolonged absence, however, is helping Alexander Zverev close the gap, as he is emerging as the standout player of 2026. The German, who won Roland Garros and the US Open this year, has had the advantage of staying injury-free throughout the season, unlike the two top players, Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. “The work in the gym, running, and everything you do off the tennis court is where this aspect really comes into play,” Zverev explained recently, emphasizing the importance of physical conditioning.
Sinner’s schedule remains uncertain for upcoming events as well. In addition to the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh—where he’ll start in the qualifying round against Alex de Minaur despite having won the last two editions of the exhibition tournament—his participation in the Vienna tournament, the Paris Masters 1000, and the ATP Finals in Turin, as well as the Davis Cup Final Eight, remains in doubt. The need to defend his top spot in the world rankings makes every decision even more delicate and strategic for Sinner’s team.
