Top-seeded Jannik Sinner has pulled out of the upcoming U.S. Open due to an ongoing right knee injury sustained after his Wimbledon victory. Despite clinching his second consecutive All England Club title by defeating Alexander Zverev, Sinner was forced to skip the hard-court events in Montreal and Cincinnati in preparation for the U.S. Open.

In an update shared on Friday, the 25-year-old Italian expressed his disappointment at not being able to compete in the tournament, citing the need for additional recovery time for his knee problem. Sinner, who had been training in Monte Carlo, emphasized his eagerness to return to New York and play in front of the enthusiastic fans.

Having emerged as the 2024 U.S. Open champion, Sinner faced a defeat against Carlos Alcaraz in the previous year’s final. Alcaraz, who has been recovering from a right wrist injury since April, confirmed his readiness to participate in this year’s U.S. Open, setting the stage for a continuation of the intense rivalry between the two players.

The recent clash between Sinner and Alcaraz at the Grand Slam finals has been a highlight of men’s tennis, with Alcaraz securing victory in the most recent encounter in New York. Sinner’s stellar performance this year includes six titles and an impressive record of 44 wins out of 47 matches. Despite a setback at the French Open, where he faced challenges in the heat, Sinner bounced back to claim his fifth Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.

This marks the first time Sinner will miss a Grand Slam event since his debut at the U.S. Open in 2019.