Novak Djokovic pledges support for Jannik Sinner after season-ending knee inflammation

Jannik Sinner announced on Tuesday that he will miss the remainder of the year because of knee inflammation, and Novak Djokovic, speaking at the Shanghai Masters on Thursday, said he had not yet spoken to Sinner but would reach out to the World No.1. Djokovic offered a public message of support as Sinner begins his recovery away from competition.

Sinner has not played since July, when he defeated Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon final to successfully defend his title, and subsequently withdrew from the US Open because of a right knee injury. The article refers to Sinner as a five-time Grand Slam champion and notes his absence from tour action since that Wimbledon victory.

At the Shanghai Masters, Djokovic said he had seen the news only recently and planned to contact Sinner directly: “I haven't been in touch with Jannik since he got injured, I just saw the news two days ago. So I'll reach out to him to see how he's doing,” Djokovic said. “As someone that has been through some major injuries in my career.”

Djokovic recalled his own experience of prolonged injury time out, saying he missed the second half of the 2017 season because of persistent right elbow pain before undergoing surgery. “I had a surgery, and it was the only big surgery that I had,” the 24-time major champion said.

He also described the mental challenges of returning from a lengthy layoff, asking aloud about the doubts players face on court: “Then it's mental, you know. You're on the court and you're thinking. Am I really completely healed and free to make this run?” Djokovic added: “I mean for him if it's a knee. Obviously it's affecting everything, it's affecting every single movement.”

The Sinner announcement means he will miss the Shanghai Masters, the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals, and he will be unavailable for Italy at the Davis Cup Final 8; his withdrawal from Paris also means he will not defend the 1,000 ranking points he earned by winning the tournament last year. While Sinner begins his recovery away from the spotlight, Djokovic has moved on to his next event after winning the China Open in Beijing.

Djokovic's China Open victory was described as his seventh title in Beijing and his 102nd ATP singles trophy, extending a run of at least one tour-level title in 21 consecutive seasons; he will compete in Shanghai and faces Hubert Hurkacz in the second round. For Sinner, the road back may be long. But as he begins that journey, one of tennis' most experienced voices is ready to remind him that he does not have to walk it alone.