Jannik Sinner looks touch and go to play the US Open, which would leave the tournament particularly devoid in star power, especially with Carlos Alcaraz’s status in doubt too.
The Italian is reportedly dealing with a knee injury, which is part of the reason he has not played either the Canadian Open or the Cincinnati Open prior to the US Open.
Sinner is still on the entry list for the US Open and there is still a big chance he plays, but it could open the door for other stars to take advantage of the world No 1’s fitness.
Speaking on Instagram, Patrick Mouratoglou outlined what the world No 1 must do to boost his chances of winning the US Open with his knee injury.
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“Am I worried about Jannik? Yes and no. I’m not saying: Wow, he’s coming to the US Open without having played a single match. He did that at Wimbledon and won.
“The 25-year-old also has a certain gap to most of the other players. There’s a lot of pressure at a Grand Slam tournament. He has to be very efficient and not spend too much time on the court. He has to beat his opponent clearly.”
Sinner, more or less, managed to do this at Wimbledon earlier this year, when he arrived having not played a competitive match on the grass.
Outside of a five-set clash with Miomir Kecmanovic in round one, Sinner won the rest of his matches until the final in straight sets.
He was able to play himself into the tournament at Wimbledon, and that is what he must do at the US Open too.
He has the luxury of being the top seed at the tournament, meaning he won’t play another top 10 player until the fourth round at the earliest.
However, Sinner was only dealing with a lack of match fitness at Wimbledon, whereas he is entering the US Open with a knee injury, so this is an entirely different kettle of fish.
Sinner survived a five set match in the first round of Wimbledon, but who is to say his knee injury will allow that at Flushing Meadows? Mouratoglou is probably right and he will need to keep his matches short, but that will just provide his opponents with the perfect gameplan.
It creates a certain level of unease for the world No 1 which he has not felt prior to a Grand Slam in a very long time. Nevertheless, if he does arrive at the US Open, he will undoubtedly be the favourite to win the Grand Slam, even with a knee injury.
