World number one Jannik Sinner will not be defending his China Open title after failing to recover in time from an ongoing knee injury. The 25-year-old tennis star, who previously claimed the tournament crown in 2023 and 2025, announced his withdrawal ahead of the event which begins on Wednesday and concludes on 6 October. Sinner earlier retained his men's singles Wimbledon title earlier this year, but his physical condition has forced him to sit out the upcoming fixtures in Beijing.
In a video posted on social media platform X, the Italian player addressed his supporters directly. He stated that he wanted to send his warmest greetings to the Chinese fans while expressing deep regret over missing the competition. He explained that his knee is simply not where he would like it to be and that he is not yet ready to endure the physical demands of professional competition.
Looking Ahead to Recovery and Other Contenders
Sinner emphasized his commitment to returning to action as quickly as possible. He noted that what he misses the most is the tournament itself, the passionate fans, and the vibrant atmosphere, having enjoyed great memories there including his title victory last year. He added that he feels very disappointed about being unable to defend his hard-earned trophy this season.
While Sinner's absence comes as a major blow to the tournament lineup, fans in Beijing will still see several other marquee names in action. Competitors such as Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic remain entered and are expected to compete for the title in his absence as the matches get underway.
