Sinner Withdraws from Shanghai Masters

Top-ranked Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Shanghai Masters as he deals with a knee problem. He announced his withdrawal on his Instagram account, saying he always enjoys playing in front of the Shanghai fans and is sorry he won't be able to do so next week.

Sinner has not played since beating Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon final. He withdrew from the U.S. Open because of a right knee injury and also announced last week that he wouldn’t be able to defend his China Open title in Beijing.

The Italian tennis player's team is being cautious about his return and wants to avoid a relapse that would chronicize this injury. Federico Ferri, the director of Sky Sport, emphasized the need for maximum prudence regarding his recovery.

Sinner has informed the organizers of the Six Kings Slam that it will be very difficult for him to participate in the tournament, and they are already considering several names to replace him. Daniil Medvedev, Ben Shelton, and Arthur Fils are among the main options being discussed.

The problem Sinner is dealing with is not considered particularly severe, but it does involve a delicate recovery with a significant risk of relapse and chronicity. Sinner and his team have decided that he will only return when there is sufficient assurance that his knee can handle the demands of competition again.

Forcing a return now could mean losing much more time later, and Sinner does not want to create a premature return to avoid a relapse or chronicity in the tendons of his knee that could hinder his career.

Sinner will make a final decision about his participation in the Six Kings Slam over the next week. His team's great fear is a possible relapse that could turn the knee issue into something chronic.