BREAKING NEWS: Sinner announces he won't play in Shanghai, will we see him again in 2026?

Fernando Murciego - 3 Oct 2026 | 10:50
ATP Jannik Sinner ATP Shanghái 2026

Bad news for Jannik Sinner. The Italian, who has not played a tournament since winning Wimbledon, announced this morning that his return will not be at the Masters 1000 in Shanghai either. What is happening?

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Jannik Sinner announces that he will not compete in the 2026 Shanghai Masters. Source: Getty

Jannik Sinner has a more serious problem than we thought. The Italian, out of play since his last title at Wimbledon, has withdrawn from all tournaments since the summer began. When will he make his return? For now, we learned today that at the Masters 1000 in Shanghai, it won’t be.

The world number one announced this Friday that he will not compete in the upcoming Masters held in China, thus extending an absence that began after he lifted the third Grand Slam of the season. The Italian had planned to return during the Asian tour, but ultimately his injury did not allow him to, meaning his return to the circuit remains uncertain.

"Unfortunately, I will not be able to play in Shanghai this year as I hoped,” Sinner communicated through his social media, where he also wanted to invite the Chinese public to next year. A decision that is once again related to the problems he is experiencing with his right knee, which already forced him to withdraw from the US Open and, more recently, the ATP 500 in Beijing held this week.

The last time Sinner played a match was on July 12, when he defeated Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon final to win his fifth Grand Slam and defend his title at the All England Club. Since then, the Italian has not stepped onto a court in official competition.

A wait that has already surpassed three months

The calendar has become complicated for Sinner. First, it was the Masters 1000 in Canada and Cincinnati. Then came the biggest blow with his absence from the US Open. After that, the blow of not defending his title in Beijing. At that moment, the Masters 1000 in Shanghai appeared as the next opportunity to try to return, but this nightmare seems to still have some chapters left. 

The injury to his right knee has completely affected his second half of the season. In recent weeks, there have even been reports about the possibility that he may need surgery, although there is no official confirmation that he will go under the knife. What is clear is that Sinner is opting not to rush his return while he is not ready to compete. In other words, following the path that Alcaraz already marked in his wrist recovery.

The Masters 1000 in Shanghai will begin its main draw activities from October 7 to 18. Sinner, for his part, will have to keep waiting. Days pass, and the uncertainty only multiplies. And I wonder, will we see him compete again in 2026?

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, ÚLTIMA HORA. Sinner anuncia que no juega en Shanghai, ¿volveremos a verle en 2026?