Tennis: Jannik Sinner to miss 2026 due to knee treatment

World number one Jannik Sinner will not play another match in 2026. His team announced Tuesday that he will undergo treatment for inflammation in his knee. The decision gives the 25-year-old time to recover before preparing for 2027.

"The decision has been made to have the treatment now to give Jannik the necessary time to recover before beginning preparations for 2027. As a result, Jannik will be unable to compete again during the 2026 season," the team stated.

Sinner has already missed the US Open and the Beijing tournament. He will also skip the Paris Masters, the November ATP Finals, and the Davis Cup Final 8. Italy hosts the Davis Cup event as the three-time defending champion. He emphasized that he must prioritize his long-term career during this break. "But at the moment, I also need to think about my long-term career," Sinner said.

He risks dropping from the top ranking while sidelined. If he recovers in time, he could return for the Australian Open, which begins January 17. The five-time Grand Slam winner has not competed since winning Wimbledon in July.

His 2026 campaign featured a 30-match winning streak before a second-round exit at the French Open. The loss came during a heatwave in Paris. His main rival, Carlos Alcaraz, missed four and a half months earlier this year with a right wrist injury. Elsewhere, Germany's Alexander Zverev has won two Grand Slam titles this year and is closing in on the No 1 ranking.