Jannik Sinner: Concerns About His Knee—What Might Be Wrong with the South Tyrolean Champion?

Jannik Sinner has decided to withdraw from the 2026 ATP 500 tournament in Beijing, scheduled for September 30 through October 6, and at this point, doubts about his physical condition and the time needed for his return to the tennis courts have resurfaced with a vengeance. Back in early August, when announcing that he would not be participating in the Montreal Masters 1000 after his triumph at Wimbledon, the South Tyrolean stated that his top priority was his health, hence the ongoing concerns about his knee.

Meanwhile, rumors have spread about a new diagnosis for his physical issues: iliotibial band syndrome, also known as “runner’s knee.” This condition involves inflammation between the thigh and the knee caused by overuse and repetitive flexion and extension movements of the joint. Pending confirmation from Sinner himself or even just his staff, it’s worth noting that surgery is rarely required for this condition. Treatment is more likely to involve physical therapy, rest, load management, and, at most, injections or anti-inflammatory medications. As for the recovery timeline, however, the decision rests with his staff. This is especially important to avoid the risk of relapses that would jeopardize all the hard work of recent weeks.

The withdrawal from Beijing marks Sinner’s fourth this season; he has not taken the court since the Wimbledon final he won on July 12 against Alexander Zverev. Before withdrawing from the Chinese tournament, the South Tyrolean had already missed the Masters 1000 events in Montreal and Cincinnati, as well as the U.S. Open—all won by the German player, who also claimed the French Open title, bringing him within just 1,370 points of Sinner in the rankings. Looking back at last season as well, the number of withdrawals rises to ten, including the five tournaments he missed during his suspension between February and May 2025 and his subsequent withdrawal from Toronto.

Despite his absence from the courts, Sinner has maintained a certain level of public visibility. On the day he announced his withdrawal from Beijing—via a post on X in which he apologized to Chinese fans and promised to return next year to defend the title he won in 2025— the South Tyrolean joined his girlfriend Laila Hasanovic in Milan, where she was attending events during Milan Fashion Week. While in the Lombard capital, exchanging a few words with journalist Anna Wintour, Sinner jokingly alluded to his situation: “Did you think I was going to Beijing? I thought so too… Ready for January? Well, if I don’t come back in January, that would be a problem…”.