Italian media fear Sinner may need surgery

The knee injury which has kept Jannik Sinner off court since winning Wimbledon may require surgery which could likely mean the world No. 1 would miss the Australian Open.  

Rome’s Corriere dello Sport broke the troubling news on Monday, noting that the right knee inflammation which has troubled the five-time Grand Slam champion over the past months might be more serious than first thought.

Sources told the daily that the problem was an acute case of extra-articular tendon inflammation, or iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS).

“There would be a risk, however, of having to resort to surgery if conservative therapies did not work” the newspaper reported, adding that rehab, physical rehab and injections have also not been completely ruled out.

 The newspaper reported added: “The iliotibial band is a strip of fibrous tissue that is thick, strong and not very elastic. 

“It originates in the pelvis, runs down the entire outer side of the thigh and attaches to the tibia, just below the knee. It acts like a steel cable, helping to stabilise the leg.

“The problem occurs just above the knee. There, the band passes over a bony prominence of the femur, the lateral epicondyle.

Every time the knee bends and straightens, the band slides over it until the tissue between the fascia and the bone becomes inflamed.

“That’s why we describe it as ‘extra-articular’: the problem is not inside the knee. It is outside, on the outer side.”

The injury situation is similar to that just suffered by former No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, who missed nearly five months of competition due to a spring wrist injury which kept him out until the US Open.

The Spaniad has since complained mightily about the physical stress the crowded ATP calendar puts on top players, especially with the oddball nearly-two-week masters 1000 events which have drawn heavy criticism from all quarters of the sport as nothing more than an organiser cash grab..

Sinner is already set to miss the Asian swing which begins this week in Beijing and is followed by the Shanghai Masters. The 25-year-old Italian is also likely in danger for the Paris Nanterre Indoors and possibly the year-end finals in Turin in November..

His top ranking is now under this season’s two-time Grand Slam winner Alexander Zverev, who is closing fast on Sinner in the ranking points race.

Main photo:- Wimbledon 2026 Men’s singles final Jannik Sinner with Winners Trophy – Roger Parker International Sports Fotos