Sinner pauses training shortly before US Open due to knee problem

Cincinnati setback and the Alcaraz factor

The 24-year-old's recent season has been a mix of setbacks and recovery. He reached the final in Cincinnati but lost to Carlos Alcaraz, the Spanish player who has overtaken him in the bigger titles race this year. The loss in Cincinnati, combined with the ongoing knee issue, leaves Sinner with limited match play heading into New York.

German number one Alexander Zverev, who has competed against both Sinner and Alcaraz this season, is among the players who could profit from the Italian's absence of momentum. With the US Open hard courts rewarding recent match practice, Zverev and other contenders see an opportunity to stake an early claim in the draw.

What the tour medical staff say

Medical staff around the tour have noted that knee problems are among the most common injuries on the men's tour, particularly during the long hard-court swing in North America. The demands of back-to-back tournaments, combined with limited recovery time between surfaces, have led several players to take precautionary breaks in recent seasons.

Sinner has not given a date for his return to competition. His team said only that the decision on whether he plays the US Open will depend on how the knee responds in the coming days. A withdrawal from the tournament would mark a significant blow both for Sinner and for the tournament's marketing, as he is one of the two biggest drawcards in men's tennis alongside Alcaraz.

Implications for the rankings

The situation also has implications for the year-end rankings. Sinner currently holds the world number one spot, but a lengthy absence would open the door for Alcaraz to close the gap, and for Zverev, the German number one, to consolidate his position in the top three. The race for the top of the men's game is expected to be a central storyline of the late summer season.

Tennis officials have stressed that the priority is the player's long-term health. The tour's medical staff have been in contact with Sinner's team, and the player is expected to undergo further examinations before any decision is made on his return to match play. His next scheduled appearance on the calendar is the US Open, which begins in late August in New York.

For now, Sinner plans to stay in training while monitoring the knee closely. Whether he takes the court in New York will depend on the next medical assessments and on how the joint responds to the continued rehabilitation work. The tennis world is awaiting further updates from the Italian's camp in the days ahead.