Sinner's absence from tennis continues with Shanghai withdrawal

Jannik Sinner will not play in Shanghai

The Italian has not featured competitively since winning the Wimbledon title in July owing to an issue with his right knee.

”Unfortunately, I won’t be able to play at the Rolex Shanghai Masters this year as I had hoped,” Sinner wrote on social media.

”I always enjoy playing in front of the Shanghai fans, and I’m very sorry that I won’t be able to do so next week.

”Thank you for all your support. I’m looking forward to seeing you again next year!”

According to Sky Sport Italia, Sinner has opted for a cautious approach to ensure a full recovery and avoid the risk of future relapses after struggling with extra-articular tendon inflammation.

So when could he be back in action?

The Shanghai Masters begins next week and is one of just two ATP Masters 1000 events remaining on the calendar in 2026.

The other is the Paris Masters from November 2-8, where Sinner is the reigning champion.

Before then, there are three ATP 250 events lined up directly after Shanghai; in Almaty, Lyon and Brussels from October 19-25.

There is also the lucrative 'Six Kings Slam' exhibition event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which Sinner has won for the past two years and runs from October 21-24.

ATP 500 tournaments in Vienna and Basel take place from October 26-November 1. Sinner is the title holder in the Austrian capital.

That means Sinner has precious ranking points to defend in Vienna and Paris as he looks to hold on to the No. 1 spot, while there are no ranking points connected to the Six Kings Slam.

Sinner has Alexander Zverev breathing down his neck in the world rankings, with the German currently on 9,630 points and Sinner on 11,000 points.

The five-time Grand Slam champion won in Shanghai in 2024 but was knocked out in the third round last year.

Four-time winner Novak Djokovic, Sinner’s rival Carlos Alcaraz and reigning French and US Open champion Zverev are all set to compete in China.

Watch: Who does Murray think is the best men's player in the world?

Sinner was enjoying a superb season until it was derailed by injury in the summer.

He claimed Masters 1000 titles in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo, Madrid and Rome, before claiming the Wimbledon crown at the All England Club.

The 25-year-old now faces a race to return to his best level ahead of a season climax he will not want to miss in his native Italy.

The season-ending ATP Finals, where Sinner is the reigning champion, begin on November 15.

After that, the Davis Cup Finals take place in Bologna, where Sinner’s Italy team will aim to defend the crown they have won for the past three years on home soil.

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