Injured Sinner & Draper withdraw from US Open

Key Highlights

• "Even though I have been working hard with my team and my medical staff, we have now had to make the difficult decision that I will not be able to compete at the US Open this year," said the Italian.
• His representatives said he was "gutted" after what has clearly been a "tough period", adding they do not know when he will be back competing.
• "We have been back on court in Monte Carlo over the last couple of days and have realised that I still need more time to recover from my right knee issue," Sinner added.
• Draper unsure of return after 'tough period'By his own admission, the arm injury which has derailed Draper's career is "complicated".
• The 25-year-old's decision comes a day after his great rival Carlos Alcaraz announced he was playing at Flushing Meadows following a four-month absence with a wrist injury.

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Jannik Sinner beat Jack Draper - his close friend - in the 2024 US Open semi-finalsByBBC Sport tennis news reporterUpdated 3 hours agoWorld number one Jannik Sinner and Britain's Jack Draper have both pulled out of the upcoming US Open through injury.

Sinner has not played competitively since winning the Wimbledon title in July and is dealing with a knee problem.

The 25-year-old's decision comes a day after his great rival Carlos Alcaraz announced he was playing at Flushing Meadows following a four-month absence with a wrist injury.

"Even though I have been working hard with my team and my medical staff, we have now had to make the difficult decision that I will not be able to compete at the US Open this year," said the Italian.

Draper, who lost to Sinner in the 2024 US Open semi-finals, has withdrawn because of the long-term arm injury which has stalled the 24-year-old's progress.

The former British number one was ranked inside the world's top five when he suffered bone bruising in his left serving arm.

Draper looked primed to challenge the dominance of Sinner and Alcaraz, having won the biggest title of his career on the Indian Wells hard courts and reaching the Madrid Open final on the clay.

But he has played just 16 matches in the past 12 months and missed all four Grand Slam tournaments this year.

Sinner absence denies another episode of Alcaraz rivalrySinner claimed the second Grand Slam title of his career when he won the US Open in 2024 and reached the New York final again last year when he was beaten by Alcaraz.

He lifted his fifth career Grand Slam singles title by beating Alexander Zverev in the All England Club final, but has not played since.

"We have been back on court in Monte Carlo over the last couple of days and have realised that I still need more time to recover from my right knee issue," Sinner added.

"I'm obviously very sad and disappointed, as New York has a special place in my heart.

"Sinner and Alcaraz produced a clean sweep of the Grand Slam titles in 2024 and 2025, winning four majors apiece in a duopoly which has morphed into a generational duel.

However, their rivalry has been unable to reach the same heights and intensity in 2026.

Image source, Getty Images

Sinner's withdrawal means the pair have not both been present at the past three Grand Slams, with Alcaraz's wrist problem forcing him out of the French Open and Wimbledon.

At the season-opening Australian Open, Sinner's shock loss to an inspired Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals stopped a fourth Grand Slam final in a row between him and 23-year-old Alcaraz.

Originally reported by BBC Sport. TechVeb news desk.