World number one Jannik Sinner and Britain’s Jack Draper have withdrawn from the upcoming US Open due to injuries, dealing a major blow to the tournament’s men’s draw.

Sinner, 25, has not played competitively since winning the Wimbledon title in July and is currently managing a right knee problem.

His withdrawal comes a day after his major rival, Carlos Alcaraz, confirmed that he would compete at Flushing Meadows following a four-month absence caused by 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,” Sinner said.

The Italian later revealed that he still needs additional time to recover after returning to the court in Monte Carlo.

“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.”

Draper, who lost to Sinner in the 2024 US Open semi-finals, has also been forced out by a long-term arm injury that has disrupted his progress.

The 24-year-old former British number one had risen into the world’s top five before suffering bone bruising in his left serving arm.

Draper had appeared poised to challenge the dominance of Sinner and Alcaraz after winning the biggest title of his career at Indian Wells and reaching the Madrid Open final on clay.

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

Sinner won the US Open in 2024, claiming the second Grand Slam title of his career, before returning to the New York final last year, where he was beaten by Alcaraz.

He subsequently secured his fifth career Grand Slam singles title by defeating Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon final.

Sinner and Alcaraz swept all the Grand Slam titles across 2024 and 2025, winning four majors each in a rivalry that has developed into one of the sport’s defining generational duels.

However, injuries and recent absences have prevented their rivalry from reaching the same level of intensity and consistency.