Jannik Sinner will not participate in the upcoming China Open, where he was scheduled to defend his title. The world No. 1 announced his withdrawal on Friday, September 25, through a video message aimed at his Chinese fans. His absence, which extends to about 75 days, is due to ongoing issues with his right knee, which have sidelined him since his Wimbledon victory in July.
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In his message, Sinner expressed regret, stating, "Hello everyone, Jannik here. I want to send the warmest greetings to the Chinese fans. I’m very sorry to announce that I won’t be able to play in Beijing this year. My knee is not where I would like it to be, and I’m not ready to compete, but I will do everything possible to be there on court as soon as I can. What I’ll miss the most is, of course, the tournament, the fans, and the atmosphere."
Sinner also reflected on his previous success at the event, noting his disappointment in not being able to defend his title. He added, "I’ve had a great time in the past, winning the title last year. I’m very disappointed that I cannot defend it this year, but I’m very happy to come back next year. I wish everyone a very good tournament, and I’ll see you all very soon."
This marks Sinner's fourth withdrawal since his Wimbledon triumph. His ranking is at risk as Beijing holds significant importance for him, given that he earned the title in 2025 by defeating Learner Tien. Each of those ranking points is now in jeopardy as he has not participated in any tournaments since the grass season ended.
Sinner’s second half of the season has been marked by multiple withdrawals, including the Canadian Open, Cincinnati Open, and US Open. His target for a potential return is the Shanghai Masters, which begins on October 7. Sinner's absence, alongside Ben Shelton’s withdrawal, has altered the landscape of both Asian tournament draws.