On October 6, Jannik Sinner announced in an Instagram video that his 2026 season was over. The reason was inflammation in his right knee, reported by ABC News, citing the AP. Instead of returning for the autumn tournaments, the Italian will undergo a course of treatment, a decision he made with his doctors.

“My doctors and I have decided that I need a course of treatment for my knee, which means my 2026 season is officially over,” Jannik Sinner said in an Instagram video, as quoted by ABC News/FOX Sports.api.tennis

A statement from the team, published by Sky Sports, clarified that the treatment was prescribed on the advice of the medical team. Sinner also said in his message that he needed to think about his long-term career and do everything possible to return fully fit. The Washington Post, citing the AP, quoted this part of his video.

A break that began after Wimbledon

Sinner’s last match of the season was on July 12. He beat Zverev 6-7(7), 7-6(2), 6-3, 6-4 in the Wimbledon final to defend his title, ATP Tour reported. The Italian has not taken to the court since that win, The Washington Post noted.

On August 21, Sinner withdrew from the US Open because of pain in his right knee, the tournament’s official website reported. His next confirmed withdrawal was from the Rolex Shanghai Masters: on October 3, the organizers announced he would not play in Shanghai. Three days later, the issue was no longer just one tournament, but the rest of the season.

Six titles and an unfinished title defense in Vienna

Before his break, Sinner had won 44 of 47 matches and claimed six titles, according to Sky Sports. In the spring, he won five Masters 1000 titles in succession, in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome. Wimbledon was his sixth trophy.

He also had a 30-match winning streak during the season and won 10 consecutive finals, ABC News and Sky Sports reported. At the time of his October announcement, Sinner remained world No. 1. ABC News said missing the autumn stretch put his top ranking at risk.

One of his upcoming appearances was set to be a title defense at the Erste Bank Open. Sinner won the tournament in Vienna in 2025, but the organizers have now officially confirmed he will miss the event, which runs from October 24 to November 1, 2026.

Support from Alcaraz and the federation

On October 7, Carlos Alcaraz left a brief message of support in Italian under Sinner’s Instagram post. Sky Sport Italia reported his comment.

“Amico, tornerai più forte di prima,” Carlos Alcaraz commented on Instagram, as quoted by Sky Sport Italia.api.tennis

Angelo Binaghi, president of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, called protecting Jannik’s physical health an absolute priority. In a statement on the FITP’s official website, the federation also pledged its support. Erste Bank Open director Herwig Straka backed the decision to put a long-term career and health ahead of an upcoming appearance; his comment was published on the tournament website.

British tennis player and commentator Liam Broady, speaking on Sky Sports, called Sinner’s decision to end his season early “a blow for the game.” For the autumn calendar, this means the reigning world No. 1 will be absent from several major tournaments.

What remains off the calendar

After Vienna, Sinner will miss the Rolex Paris Masters, which will be held from October 31 to November 8 at Plenitude Arena in Nanterre, according to the tournament’s official ticketing website. He will also miss the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, scheduled for November 15-22; those dates are listed on the tournament website and in an ATP Tour preview.

The final team event will also take place without him: Sinner will not help Italy at the Davis Cup Final 8 in Bologna. According to the schedule published by the Davis Cup and FITP, the event will run from November 24-29.

The team’s plan, reported by ABC News, is to begin preparing for the 2027 season after the course of treatment. The next Grand Slam, the Australian Open, starts on January 17. The outlet mentioned it as a possible return point if his recovery goes well, not as a confirmed date for his first match.

“He will only return to the ATP Tour once his knee is no longer causing him any problems,” Herwig Straka, director of the Erste Bank Open, said on the tournament’s official website.api.tennis

The guide is not a specific week on the calendar but the condition of his knee; Straka identified that as the requirement for a return. Sinner’s 2026 season is over, and no date has been announced for his next appearance on court.