Jannik Sinner, the world number one tennis player, has pulled out of the Rolex Shanghai Masters 1000, which is set to take place from October 7 to 18, 2026. The Italian announced on October 3, 2026, that he would not be participating in China, continuing his absence from the tennis circuit nearly three months after his last official match, which was the Wimbledon final on July 12. Sinner expressed disappointment about not being able to play in Shanghai, noting that he had always enjoyed competing in front of the fans there. Sinner has not given a specific reason for his withdrawal but mentioned that his right knee has been a problem during the second half of his season. He had previously pulled out of the Montreal, Cincinnati, US Open, and Beijing tournaments. On September 25, he explained that his knee was not yet fully recovered, and Shanghai was supposed to be his next opportunity to return to competition, which he now also misses. In 2025, Sinner was the defending champion in Shanghai but had to withdraw in the third round against Tallon Griekspoor due to severe cramps under humid conditions. Now, the big question is when he will be able to return to play. The indoor European tour, which includes Vienna, where Sinner is the defending champion, appears to be the next possible opportunity. His participation in the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Riyadh, scheduled from October 21 to 24, is still uncertain. The seriousness of Sinner's injury remains unclear, and there is no confirmed timeline for his return to the tennis courts. Fans and analysts are waiting for more information about his recovery and when he might be able to compete again.