Jannik Sinner Delays His Return as Knee Injury Keeps World No. 1 Out of Shanghai
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from next week’s Shanghai Masters as he continues to recover from a knee injury that has kept him away from competitive tennis since his Wimbledon victory in July.
The 25-year-old Italian announced the decision on Saturday, saying he had hoped to return in Shanghai but was not ready to compete. The Masters 1000 tournament is scheduled to take place from October 7 to 18.
The decision extends one of the longest competitive absences of Sinner’s recent career.
A return that keeps being postponed
Sinner has not played since winning Wimbledon in July.
His absence has already included the North American hard-court swing and the US Open, where he was expected to defend his position at the top of the men’s game.
He also withdrew from the ongoing China Open in Beijing.
The Shanghai tournament had been viewed as a possible point of return, but the Italian has now decided to delay his comeback rather than enter another major event without being ready to compete at full capacity.
Sinner will not defend his Shanghai title
The withdrawal means Sinner will not defend the title he won in Shanghai in 2024.
He defeated Novak Djokovic in the final two years ago, establishing himself as one of the dominant players on the Asian swing of the ATP calendar.
His absence changes the competitive landscape of this year’s tournament, which still features Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev and several other leading players.
Zverev has a major opportunity
Alexander Zverev enters the Shanghai tournament with an opportunity to challenge Sinner for the world No. 1 ranking.
The German has already won the French Open and US Open during the 2026 season.
According to Reuters, Zverev can move to the top of the rankings if he wins both the China Open in Beijing and the Shanghai Masters.
That scenario adds another layer of importance to the Asian swing.
Sinner’s ranking position remains secure for now, but an extended absence creates opportunities for the players behind him to close the gap.
Djokovic remains in the field
Novak Djokovic is among the leading players confirmed for Shanghai.
The Serbian has won the tournament four times and remains one of the most experienced competitors in the field.
His presence also creates a link with Sinner’s previous Shanghai success, as Djokovic was the player Sinner defeated in the 2024 final.
With Sinner absent, the tournament will feature a different competitive balance, with Djokovic, Alcaraz and Zverev among the players expected to attract the most attention.
The final part of the season
The timing of Sinner’s withdrawal is also significant because the ATP season is approaching its final stage.
Players are competing for ranking points and qualification for the ATP Finals in Turin, which will bring together the leading performers of the year.
For Sinner, the immediate priority is returning to competition rather than accumulating additional points in Asia.
His decision to skip Shanghai leaves the exact timing of his comeback open.
The Italian remains at the top of the rankings, but his absence has already changed the dynamics of the second half of the season.
