Jannik Sinner, the world number one from Italy, has withdrawn from the Shanghai Masters citing a persistent knee injury, tournament organisers and his team confirmed. The decision means the reigning Wimbledon champion will miss another high-profile event as he continues to manage the issue.
Absent since Wimbledon
Sinner has not competed since his victory at Wimbledon in July. He subsequently missed the US Open and did not appear at the ATP 500 event currently taking place in Beijing, prolonging his time away from the tour.
The withdrawal removes one of the leading contenders from the Shanghai field and will require adjustments to the tournament draw. Organisers and fellow competitors will now prepare for the event without the presence of the sport's top-ranked player.
It remains unclear when Sinner will return to competition. His withdrawal underlines the physical challenges facing players during the demanding season and leaves questions about his preparation for the remaining calendar, including the late-season hard-court swing.