Sinner withdraws from China Open with knee injury

Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the China Open, saying his knee has not recovered enough for him to compete. The world No. 1 announced the decision on September 25, ending hopes of a return at the Beijing tournament after an earlier report said he was expected to play there. He will not defend the title he won in 2025. In a social-media statement, Sinner said his knee was not where he wanted it to be and that he was not ready to compete. He said he would do everything possible to return to court as soon as he could, but did not give a timetable. The China Open is scheduled for September 30 to October 6. Sinner has not played since winning Wimbledon in July. He also missed the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open before withdrawing from the US Open. His China Open withdrawal extends that absence, but the available information does not establish when he will return or whether he will play at the Shanghai Masters. The withdrawal means Sinner will be unable to defend the Beijing title he claimed in 2025. He also won the tournament in 2023, according to the tournament history reported with the withdrawal.