LONDON — Jannik Sinner will not play again in 2026 due to a right knee injury, a decision that has prompted Serena Williams' former coach Rick Macci to dismiss online conspiracy theories of a 'silent' doping ban as "100% impossible". The 25-year-old world No 1 and five-time Grand Slam winner has not played since defeating Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon final on 12 July and confirmed on Tuesday that his season was over.
“Me, together with the doctors, have decided that I need a course of treatment for my knee, which means that the 2026 season is officially over,” Sinner said. “The last couple of years, especially the ending in Turin, gave me so many beautiful feelings and emotions, which this year is going to be way different, but at the moment I also need to think about my long-term career, so I will do everything possible to get back a hundred percent.”
Sinner's extended absence has sparked unfounded speculation online that he has received a 'silent' ban for failing an anti-doping test, but there is no evidence to support such claims. The Italian served a three-month ban in 2025 after twice testing positive for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol in March 2024. The International Tennis Integrity Agency revealed in August 2024 that he would not serve a ban after an independent tribunal found he carried "no fault or negligence", with Sinner explaining the substance entered his body during a massage from former physio Giacomo Naldi, who had used a spray containing the steroid to treat a cut on his own finger. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in September 2024, initially seeking a ban of between one and two years, before reaching an agreement for a suspension between 9 February and 4 May last year, two months before the appeal was due to be heard in April 2025.
Macci, the American who famously coached both Serena and Venus Williams and has coached five players who went on to become world No 1, defended Sinner on X/Twitter. “Sinner is a champion and one of best competitors the sport has seen. He is hurt and if he could play he would be all in,” he wrote. “People who chirp about a failed drug test is 100% impossible as it would come out. There is no silent ban. The Flamethrower is on the mend and 2027 and many times he will be last man standing at the end. @janniksin.”
The legendary coach also praised Sinner's decision to take the long view on his recovery. “Great mandatory decision by Sinner and his team to play the long game and tee it up again in 2027,” Macci added. “It is what it is. He is not making a knee jerk reaction until he can move like Spiderman and get full traction. Rest rehab and take a negative and turn it into a positive. Work on racquet skills and little motor skills. Jannik will be locked loaded and ready to launch next year and with his movement have zero fear.”