Injury wave sidelines top tennis stars as US Open begins

The 2026 tennis season has been marked by a cascade of injuries that have kept several marquee names from competing in the sport’s biggest tournaments. Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the French Open and Wimbledon because of a wrist injury, and Italy’s Jannik Sinner missed the US Open after suffering a knee problem. Additional absences include Lorenzo Musetti, Arthur Fils, Elena Rybakina, Canada’s Victoria Mboko and Britain’s Jack Draper, all sidelined by various ailments.

Specialists such as Neeru Jayanthi of Emory Healthcare and longtime trainer Mackie Shilstone say the heightened intensity of modern play—driven by larger, faster athletes and high-spin racquets—places greater strain on bodies already taxed by an almost year-long schedule. Hand surgeon Remy Rabinovich notes a rise in wrist injuries but also observes that players are choosing recovery over playing through pain. Novak Djokovic, despite past injuries, remains in contention at the US Open. In response, the Grand Slam Player Advisory Council has been tasked with focusing on player welfare and exploring broader changes to training and scheduling.