US Open absences renew concern over tennis injuries

Injuries to leading tennis players have renewed concern about the sport as the US Open begins in New York, with Jannik Sinner absent because of a knee injury and several other players missing major tournaments in 2026.

Carlos Alcaraz missed the French Open and Wimbledon because of a wrist injury, preventing a Grand Slam meeting with Sinner at three of the four majors this year. Italy's Lorenzo Musetti and France's Arthur Fils missed earlier Grand Slams because of injury but are playing in New York.

Women's number two seed Elena Rybakina is managing a heel injury before her first-round match. Canada's Victoria Mboko and Britain's Jack Draper also missed Wimbledon and the US Open because of injury.

Neeru Jayanthi, who leads the tennis medicine program at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta, said the sport was “losing the battle overall despite the advances in sports medicine.”

Fitness expert Mackie Shilstone, who worked with Serena Williams for 14 years, said modern tennis has become more physically demanding as players have become “bigger, faster, and stronger.” He also said the 11-month tennis calendar needs planned recovery time.

New York hand and wrist surgeon Remy Rabinovich said extreme topspin is a factor in wrist injuries at all levels of tennis, but said some players are choosing rest rather than playing through pain. Alcaraz said Friday he rested until he was ready to return in the hope of having a long career.

The issue is expected to be part of the work of a Grand Slam Player Advisory Council announced earlier this week, whose mandate includes player welfare.