Jannik Sinner’s four-hour Milan clinic visit raises US Open fitness concerns

World No.1 Jannik Sinner spent nearly four hours at a specialist clinic in Milan on Tuesday, less than three weeks before the US Open. The reigning champion's unexpected medical visit has prompted fresh questions about his fitness ahead of the final Grand Slam of the season.

Italian media reported the 24-year-old underwent a series of examinations at the Physioclinic in Milan on Tuesday before leaving the facility later in the day. Reports claimed the assessments focused primarily on his right knee, though neither Sinner nor his team has disclosed the purpose or outcome of the checks. There has been no official suggestion he is dealing with a serious injury, but the visit has nonetheless prompted questions over his condition.

Sinner had already withdrawn from the Canadian Open in Montreal in a bid to manage his workload after an exhausting first half of the season. That decision came shortly after he captured the Wimbledon title, when he opted for recovery rather than additional match practice ahead of the North American hard-court swing. The withdrawal was presented as part of a broader recovery plan rather than a reaction to a newly reported problem.

The Italian's schedule remains unchanged for now, but the timing of the Milan examinations has drawn scrutiny as he prepares to defend his Flushing Meadows crown. Reports from Italy described the checks as precautionary rather than a response to a significant setback. Media attention has focused on the proximity of the visit to the lead-up events in the build-up to the US Open.

Sinner's principal rival, Carlos Alcaraz, is also managing physical issues; the Spaniard is recovering from a right wrist injury that has ruled him out of several major tournaments. Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Masters after previously missing both the French Open and Wimbledon, leaving questions over his readiness for New York. The interrupted preparations for both players have become a recurring storyline in the tournament build-up.

He is expected to travel to the United States on August 9 to begin preparations for the Cincinnati Masters, the final ATP Masters 1000 event before the US Open. Unless there is an adverse update in the coming days, the Italian remains on course to compete in Cincinnati before beginning his US Open title defence.