Sinner and Draper Withdrawals Shake Up US Open Draw

Knee and Arm Issues Disrupt the Top Half of the Draw

The final Grand Slam of the year has suffered a massive blow before the first ball is struck. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has officially withdrawn from the US Open due to a persistent right knee injury. This physical setback halts the momentum of the Italian, who has not competed in an official match since defending his Wimbledon title last month by defeating Alexander Zverev. This withdrawal is a massive development, especially after we analyzed his physical preparation in our previous Sinner injury update.

Joining Sinner on the sidelines is Great Britain's Jack Draper, who has failed to recover from a bone bruise in his left arm. According to the official ATP rankings, Draper's absence leaves a significant gap in the draw. For a left-handed player who relies on heavy topspin and high-vibration impact to dictate from the backcourt, an arm injury of this nature completely compromises execution. These absences leave the top half of the men's draw highly volatile, creating a massive void for other contenders looking to make deep runs.

Alcaraz Returns to Fill the Power Vacuum

With Sinner and Draper out, the tournament spotlight shifts dramatically. Carlos Alcaraz is set to make his highly anticipated comeback at Flushing Meadows after a grueling four-month hiatus due to a wrist injury. This return introduces a fascinating tactical variable; Alcaraz will need to find his rhythm quickly without aggravating his wrist, particularly on the fast-absorbing hard courts of New York.

The tactical landscape of the tournament changes instantly. Sinner's absence removes a primary baseline threat who excels at taking the ball early on the rise to suffocate opponents. As we explored in our analysis of the Novak Djokovic US Open outlook, the path to the trophy now requires adjusting to a field stripped of two of its most explosive baseline ball-strikers.

Rivalry Matchup & Player Profiles

Sinner and Draper share a tight rivalry, currently tied at 1-1. Draper claimed their initial encounter on grass in 2021, showcasing his left-handed slice serve to disrupt Sinner's rhythm. Sinner leveled the head-to-head in their most recent high-stakes meeting during the 2024 US Open semifinals, securing a 7-5, 7-6, 6-2 victory by dominating the longer baseline exchanges. Their current injuries put a temporary hold on what has been one of the tour's most compelling physical matchups.