World number one Jannik Sinner ends 2026 season to treat knee inflammation

Jannik Sinner will not compete again in the 2026 season because of a knee injury. Al Jazeera, BBC Sport and the Associated Press all report the decision. Sinner is ranked world number one in men's tennis.

Sinner announced the decision in a video posted on Instagram. The knee problem involves inflammation, and he will follow a course of treatment for it.

Al Jazeera quoted a statement from Sinner's team: "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."

Sinner, 25, is a five-time Grand Slam champion. He has not played competitively since winning Wimbledon in July. He won the ATP Finals title at the end of last year. He will not play the ATP Finals or the Paris Masters this year.

His 30-match winning streak ended with a second-round defeat at the French Open, played in hot conditions in Paris. Alexander Zverev has won two Grand Slam titles in 2026 and is close to replacing Sinner as world number one.

What the reports add

According to BBC Sport, the injury is to Sinner's right knee. BBC Sport also reports that Zverev won the French Open and the US Open this year and trails Sinner by 1,280 points in the live rankings. It says Zverev is all but guaranteed to become world number one by the end of the year. Sinner will be unable to defend ranking points from last year's titles in China, Vienna, Paris and the ATP Finals, according to BBC Sport.

According to Al Jazeera, Sinner missed the North American hardcourt swing, including the US Open, and is not playing the ATP 500 event in Beijing. Al Jazeera reports that he withdrew from the Shanghai Masters the previous week. It also reports that he will miss the Davis Cup Final 8, where Italy is the host nation and three-time defending champion. The next Grand Slam, the Australian Open, starts on 17 January, according to Al Jazeera.

What each side says

Sinner's team says the treatment is being done now to give him time to recover before preparing for 2027.

BBC Sport quoted Sinner as saying: "Me together with the doctors have decided that I need a course of treatment for my knee." Al Jazeera quoted him as saying: "But at the moment, I also need to think about my long-term career."

What is not known

The reports do not give a specific diagnosis or describe the treatment, including whether surgery is planned. They do not include a recovery timeline or confirm whether Sinner intends to play the Australian Open. They do not describe when or how the injury occurred.

Analysis

The decision has direct consequences for the men's rankings. Reports reviewed by Vocemundi indicate Zverev is close to taking the top position, as Sinner cannot defend points from late-season titles won last year. Italy's Davis Cup campaign will also proceed without its highest-ranked player, according to Al Jazeera. The longer-term picture remains uncertain. The reports do not include a diagnosis, treatment details or a recovery timeline. Whether Sinner returns for the Australian Open in January is not confirmed. Outcomes could range from a full return early in 2027 to a longer absence, depending on how treatment progresses.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.