Darren Cahill gives update on Jannik Sinner’s condition ahead of the US Open after recent illness

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Looking to defend his title in New York, Jannik Sinner has encountered a real setback before the tournament has even begun.

Struggling with illness during the Cincinnati Open final, Sinner retired down 0-5 against Carlos Alcaraz.

Sinner then withdrew from the US Open mixed doubles event, choosing instead to focus on his recovery for the singles tournament.

Returning as the defending champion, Sinner would have hoped for a smoother tournament preparation than he’s endured so far.

With the Italian now just days away from his first-round match, coach Darren Cahill has given an update on his condition.

Darren Cahill is ‘confident’ Jannik Sinner will be fit to play the US Open

Speaking to ESPN, Cahill outlined when he expects the world number one to return to practice.

“Jannik [Sinner] suffered from a virus that forced him to retire against [Carlos] Alcaraz on Monday,” he said.

“He’s feeling a bit better now, will rest today, and is expected back on court Thursday.

“We are confident he’s going to be fine.”

Sinner is indeed expected to return to practice on Thursday and has been scheduled for a one-hour session with Argentina’s Francisco Comesana from 12 PM to 1 PM ET on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The world number 54 lost his first-round match at the Winston-Salem Open on Monday, but has enjoyed a career-best year on the ATP Tour.

It will certainly be interesting to see if Sinner can last the full hour in his return from illness, with the US Open right around the corner.

Jannik Sinner’s US Open record

Despite winning the tournament in 2024, the US Open is statistically Sinner’s worst-performing Grand Slam event.

In fairness, his record is slightly skewed, thanks to his two first-round defeats at the US Open in 2019 and 2020.

That’s not to say a 77% win rate is bad either, as it ranks fairly well compared to the other members of the ATP top ten.

ATP top ten – US Open win %

• 1. Jannik Sinner – 77%
• 2. Carlos Alcaraz – 85%
• 3. Alexander Zverev – 74%
• 4. Taylor Fritz – 64%
• 5. Jack Draper – 77%
• 6. Ben Shelton – 70%
• 7. Novak Djokovic – 87%
• 8. Alex de Minaur – 69%
• 9. Karen Khachanov – 53%
• 10. Lorenzo Musetti – 56%

Only two players, Alcaraz (85%) and Novak Djokovic (87%), have a higher win % at the US Open among players ranked in the top ten.

Unsurprisingly, they are the two players many are picking to cause Sinner some problems at Flushing Meadows.

Can Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic stop Jannik Sinner from winning the US Open?

Since the beginning of the 2024 season, nobody has been able to stop Sinner and Alcaraz at the Grand Slam tournaments.

Winning seven-straight titles, the young duo continue to dominate at the four majors, and look set to do so for the foreseeable.

However, while Sinner did beat Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final recently, and has taken home four majors to the Spaniard’s three, during their winning run, their head-to-head record tells a different story.

Alcaraz leads Sinner 9-5 in the head-to-head, having won six of their last seven matches.

Therefore, even though Sinner has looked imperious on hard courts recently, Alcaraz may well be considered the favorite should they face off in the US Open final.

Sinner will also be wary of Serbia’s Djokovic, who he could face en route to a potential final with Alcaraz.

A four-time US Open champion, Djokovic won his 24th and most recent Grand Slam title at the event in 2023, and will resume his search for the elusive 25th major in New York.

Djokovic has lost to Sinner twice at Grand Slams in 2025 (French Open and Wimbledon), but may take some confidence from his previous successes over the world number one at major tournaments.

• 2022 Wimbledon QF – Novak Djokovic beat Jannik Sinner
• 2023 Wimbledon SF – Novak Djokovic beat Jannik Sinner

It remains to be seen whether Djokovic and Sinner will even face off at the US Open, as players await the draw, which is set to take place on Thursday, August 21.