Paolo Bertolucci was blunt about Jannik Sinner after his latest withdrawal

Jannik Sinner’s ordeal continues, as a knee injury is preventing him from returning to the tour. The Italian announced in recent days that he would not be competing in the Shanghai Masters 1000, the fifth tournament he has missed since his Wimbledon triumph. His world No. 1 ranking is now in serious jeopardy, but what worries his fans most is that the South Tyrolean champion has not yet set a specific date for his return to the court.

Former Italian tennis player Paolo Bertolucci, now a Sky commentator, also offered a terse comment on social media regarding Sinner’s situation: “Nothing new,” read the former Italian national team player’s brief post in response to Sinner’s announcement that he was withdrawing from Shanghai.

Bertolucci, however, did not rule out Sinner’s participation in the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Responding to a fan who ironically predicted the player’s return for the Saudi event, Bertolucci replied: “What would you do if you were guaranteed €1,500,000?”

Sky provided this behind-the-scenes insight into the Italian player’s situation: “The chosen path remains the same: one of caution. To minimize the margin of risk. The goal is to regain peak condition, but above all to safeguard the athlete’s future. No to rushed comebacks, considering the all-too-frequent long-term injuries suffered by other tennis players in recent years—and there are plenty of examples. We’re looking ahead to the next decade, not the next tournament,” wrote Sky journalist Angelo Mangiante on X.

“The problem is always the same: extra-articular tendon inflammation in the right knee. It’s not a serious condition, but recovery takes a long time and carries risks of relapse and chronicity—exactly what Sinner wants to avoid. The precautions are focused on regaining his form and exercising the utmost caution regarding the risk of relapse.”