Jannik Sinner has been one of, if not the most outstanding player on the ATP tour this year.
However, what started out as a stunning 2024 laden with endless wins and titles has since devolved into a disappointing one, forced to bow out from a handful of tournaments whilst being dumped out of others due to matters beyond his control.
Injuries are an unapologetic and uncompromising part of professional sport, but it is always a worry that someone as promising and potentially dominant as Sinner might see a career scuppered, or potentially unfulfilled, because of them.
And whilst it is still early days, the early signs are not great.
That was blatantly clear again in yesterday’s Canadian Open clash, in which the Italian once again suffered a shock early exit to Andrey Rublev.
Jannik Sinner provides injury update after Andrey Rublev loss
Speaking after the defeat, Sinner provided another fitness update, and a much-needed one after he laboured to defeat across three sets.
Taking the first set 6-3, it felt like the Russian’s chance had disappeared when the Italian roared back to win the second 1-6.
However, Rublev was not to be denied, and would serve remarkably to claim the third and consign the 22-year-old to yet another loss.
As has become somewhat customary in recent months, as Sinner has continuously suffered setback after setback, his post-match interview was dominated by people trying to rationalise yet another early exit.
He would seek to appease the reports by noting: ‘I’ve been in bed for several days. (…) My form is certainly far from 100%. I won’t be 100% in Cincinnati, but I want to be 100% for the US Open, which is the most important event for me.’
Jannik Sinner’s stunning 2024 has been ravaged by injury and illness
Starting off his 2024 season, many did expect big things from Jannik Sinner given how he had finished the previous year.
Overcoming Novak Djokovic three times in as many months marked a standout feat, and paved the path for him to do so again on his way to a maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne.
He would follow that up with another triumph in Rotterdam before Carlos Alcaraz finally put a stop to his winning run.
However, it did not take much for him to bounce back, then winning Miami before the issues began.
Stefanos Tsitsipas knocked him out in Monte-Carlo, and Felix Auger-Aliassime benefitted from a walkover as Sinner retired from the competition, then missing Rome.
Still visibly injured at Roland Garros, a semi-final run was a solid showing, and winning Halle threatened to return him to top form.
But, illness struck again at Wimbledon, and that marked his last competition since this latest Canada disappointment.
Cincinnati marks a chance to return to winning ways, but his pre-tournament assessment does not sound good.
Hopefully, he can shake these unrelenting issues in time for the US Open, where he would stand a great chance of victory should he be fully fit.
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