Jannik Sinner, the nightmare continues: five tournaments missed. The stages of his ordeal

Jannik Sinner’s return to the court has been postponed yet again. The world No. 1 has also withdrawn from the Shanghai Masters 1000, scheduled to begin on October 7, extending an absence that has now lasted since the Wimbledon final on July 12. After Montreal, Cincinnati, the US Open, and Beijing, Shanghai has now been added to the list: this marks the fifth consecutive tournament the Italian has had to skip due to his right knee injury.

The decision came after days of waiting. As recently as September 30, it still seemed possible that Sinner would play in China: the world No. 1 had stepped up his training in Monte Carlo, and his recovery was looking promising. However, it remained to be seen how his body would respond to the physical demands and, above all, whether he was in the necessary condition to compete in a tournament again after nearly three months without official matches.

In the end, caution prevailed once again. Sinner will not be in Shanghai, and his return to the tour has been postponed yet again. The problem with his right knee—diagnosed as extra-articular tendon inflammation—has kept him out of competition since the summer.

It all began after his Wimbledon triumph. Sinner had first withdrawn from the Montreal Masters 1000 and then from Cincinnati. On August 21 came the most significant withdrawal: from the US Open. At that time, the Italian explained that, despite working with his team and medical staff, he needed more time to recover from the issue with his right knee.

The goal then became a return during the Asian swing. Beijing seemed like the right tournament to make his comeback, but on September 25, Sinner announced another withdrawal, explaining that his knee was not yet in the desired condition and that he did not feel ready to compete.

At that point, Shanghai remained the last chance to salvage at least part of the Asian tour. In the days that followed, there were seemingly encouraging signs from practice, but also new questions. In recent hours, Sinner’s trip to Lyon—home to a center specializing in knee problems—had sparked speculation. A photo posted on social media had fueled rumors of a possible medical consultation, though his staff initially provided no official details.

Now, his withdrawal from Shanghai definitively brings the Asian tour to a close before it has even begun for the Italian player. The string of withdrawals highlights the extent of his hiatus: Montreal, Cincinnati, the U.S. Open, Beijing, and Shanghai. Five tournaments missed and nearly three months without an official match.

The calendar now offers new possible dates for his return. Among the upcoming events is the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, an exhibition scheduled for October 21, while on the ATP Tour, attention is shifting primarily to the European indoor season. According to currently available information, Vienna could be the tournament where he makes his return, provided that his physical condition allows Sinner to resume competition.

The priority clearly remains a full recovery. After such a long hiatus, in fact, it’s not just how his knee responds that matters: Sinner must also regain his rhythm, athletic conditioning, and the ability to sustain a series of closely spaced matches. His withdrawal from Shanghai demonstrates that his staff has no intention of rushing things just to meet a date on the calendar.

Since winning the Wimbledon final on July 12, Sinner has not played a single official match. What initially seemed like a brief hiatus has turned into a long absence that has wiped out his entire North American hardcourt season and now his Asian tour as well.