Jannik Sinner WITHDRAWS from US Open due to knee injury – as Jack Draper also pulls out

World No 1 Jannik Sinner has pulled out of the US Open after failing to overcome a knee injury, with British star Jack Draper also withdrawing due to his persistent arm issue.

Sinner has not played a match since beating Alexander Zverev to successfully defend his Wimbledon title last month, missing the Masters 1000 events in Canada and Cincinnati.

His absence comes after news his perennial rival Carlos Alcaraz will play at Flushing Meadows having missed the last four months due to injury.

Speaking about his injury, Sinner said: ‘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.

‘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.

‘I’m obviously very sad and disappointed, as New York has a special place in my heart. I was very much looking forward to coming back and playing in the electric atmosphere in front of the great fans there.’

It will be the first grand slam the 25-year-old has missed since making his debut at the US Open in 2019 and will further focus attention on the physical demands of the tennis calendar.

Draper, meanwhile, is continuing to battle a bone bruise in his dominant left arm and, after two dispiriting matches in the US.

The former British No 1 has played just 16 matches in the past 12 months and missed all four Grand Slam tournaments this year.