Berrettini reacts to Sinner's 2026 exit

Matteo Berrettini, after defeating Aleksandar Kovacevic in the first round of the Shanghai Masters 1000, responded to Jannik Sinner's decision to end his 2026 season due to ongoing treatment for a right knee injury.

Sinner's announcement shocks tennis world

Jannik Sinner, currently ranked world number one, surprised many by announcing on Tuesday that he would not compete in 2026 to continue his recovery from a right knee injury, a decision that has raised questions about his future in the sport.

Berrettini shares personal injury experience

Berrettini, who has faced his own injury challenges in the past, expressed respect for Sinner's decision, noting that he had written to Sinner to let him know he and others were waiting for his return.

Berrettini avoids prying into Sinner's recovery

He emphasized that he would not ask Sinner about the specifics of his injury or recovery timeline, acknowledging the mental difficulty of dealing with such setbacks in professional sports.

Berrettini praises Sinner's team and mentality

Berrettini highlighted that Sinner has one of the best support teams in the world and described him as the best player and the one with the best mentality he has ever encountered, calling his decision to step back the right choice.

Berrettini believes Sinner will return stronger

He expressed confidence that Sinner will come back even stronger, showing his belief in the player's resilience and ability to overcome his current challenges.