Jannik Sinner casts doubt on French Open participation as he issues worrying injury update
Jannik Sinner close up
Jannik Sinner has provided a concerning update on his hip injury after his Italian Open withdrawal and admitted his French Open participation is uncertain.
The Italian star suggested his injury may be more serious than initially expected as he revealed he would “be forced to stop playing for a long time” if it does not fully heal.
Sinner withdrew from his Madrid Open quarter-final against Felix Auger-Aliassime earlier this week due to a hip injury that had been bothering him throughout the tournament.
The world No 2 then announced on Saturday that he had been forced to pull out of the Italian Open, his home event, which will begin on May 8.
“It is not easy to write this message but after speaking again with the doctors and specialists about my hip problems I have to announce that unfortunately I will not be able to play in Rome,” wrote the 22-year-old.
“Obviously I’m very sad that I didn’t recover, it being one of my favourite tournaments ever. I couldn’t wait to come back and play at home in front of the Italian crowd.”
There is now a fear that the Australian Open champion may also miss the chance to compete at Roland Garros, which will run from May 26 to June 9.
Speaking to the Italian media at a press conference today, Sinner did not want to disclose the specific nature of his injury, but admitted it could derail his French Open hopes.
“We all thought it wasn’t a serious problem. I don’t want to say exactly what it is. If it wasn’t 100% healed, I would be forced to stop playing for a long time,” Sinner explained.
“Roland Garros? We still have to decide a few things for Paris. The preparation will not be optimal. My team and I will do our best to get there with as high a percentage as possible to compete.
“Some injuries can be prevented, others cannot. So far we have done a great job. Last year I had an injury-free season. Like this year so far.
“Next year, we will have to figure out whether to play Monte Carlo or not. You can’t be perfect at my age.
“In Madrid, there were days when I felt the pain a bit more, others when I didn’t feel it. I knew something was wrong. The day after the match with Khachanov, we saw from the MRI that there was something that was 100% wrong.
“It doesn’t mean that if someone gets hurt, a mistake has necessarily been made. I believe we did everything right. If I had to go back I wouldn’t know what I should have done differently.”
Sinner has been the standout player on the ATP Tour so far in 2024, having won 28 of his 30 matches and claimed three titles this season.
After claiming his maiden Grand Slam crown at the Australian Open in January, Sinner added triumphs at the Rotterdam Open and the Indian Wells Masters.