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World number one Jannik Sinner and Britain's Jack Draper have both pulled out of the upcoming US Open through injury.

Sinner has not played competitively since winning the Wimbledon title in July and is dealing with a knee problem.

The 25-year-old's decision comes a day after his great rival Carlos Alcaraz announced he was playing at Flushing Meadows following a four-month absence with a wrist injury.

"Even though I have been working hard with my team and my medical staff, we have now had to make the difficult decision that I will not be able to compete at the US Open this year," said the Italian.

Draper, who lost to Sinner in the 2024 US Open semi-finals, has withdrawn because of the long-term arm injury which has stalled the 24-year-old's progress.

The former British number one was ranked inside the world's top five when he suffered bone bruising in his left serving arm.

Draper looked primed to challenge the dominance of Sinner and Alcaraz, having won the biggest title of his career on the Indian Wells hard courts and reaching the Madrid Open final on the clay.

He has played just 16 matches in the past 12 months and missed all four Grand Slam tournaments this year.

Sinner absence denies another episode of Alcaraz rivalry

Sinner claimed the second Grand Slam title of his career when he won the US Open in 2024 and reached the New York final again last year when he was beaten by Alcaraz.

He lifted his fifth career Grand Slam singles title by beating Alexander Zverev in the All England Club final.

"We have been back on court in Monte Carlo over the last couple of days and have realised that I still need more time to recover from my right knee issue," Sinner added.

"I'm obviously very sad and disappointed, as New York has a special place in my heart."

Sinner and Alcaraz produced a clean sweep of the Grand Slam titles in 2024 and 2025, winning four majors apiece in a duopoly which has morphed into a generational duel.

However, the pair's rivalry has been unable to reach the same heights and intensity.

Sinner's withdrawal means the pair have not both been present at the past three Grand Slams, with Alcaraz's wrist problem forcing him out of the French Open and Wimbledon.

At the season-opening Australian Open, Sinner's shock loss to an inspired Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals stopped a fourth Grand Slam final in a row between him and the 23-year-old Alcaraz.

The pair also contested the title match at the end-of-season ATP Finals, which served to further emphasise how far clear they were of their rivals in the men's game.

This year, they have gone head-to-head only once.

Sinner beat Alcaraz in April's Monte Carlo final which ensured the Italian reclaimed the top spot in the world rankings - a place which he has not looked like relinquishing since.

In his absence, Germany's Zverev will be the top seed at Flushing Meadows, ahead of Alcaraz and Canadian third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.

The US Open singles main draws start on Sunday 30 August.

Draper unsure of return after 'tough period'

By his own admission, the arm injury which has derailed Draper's career is "complicated".

Scans last year showed the former world number four had bruising on his humerus - the bone that runs from the shoulder to the elbow - in his left arm.

Draper's game is anchored by a big serve and forehand, and the injury stopped him generating power on these shots.

Initially he tried to play through the discomfort, but withdrew from last year's US Open before his second-round match.

The next move was taking time away from playing and allowing the injury to heal as he swiftly decided to curtail his 2025 season.

Draper opted not to play this year's Australian Open in January, then missed the French Open and Wimbledon as he continued to take precautionary measures.

He made his latest comeback at the Canadian Open on 4 August, but the sight of him breaking down in tears midway through his first-round loss to France's Terence Atmane led to further concerns.

Draper did play again nine days later at the Cincinnati Open, but lost in straight sets to Spain's Martin Landaluce after being 5-2 up in the second set.

Now he has decided to take more time away from the tour.

His representatives said he was "gutted" after what has clearly been a "tough period", adding they do not know when he will be back competing.

Analysis: Sinner plays long game as Draper continues to suffer

Seeing the greatest talents go head-to-head at the biggest tournaments - when they are fit, healthy and playing at their peak - is what every sports fan wants.

But, for the third successive Grand Slam tournament, those who love tennis have been deprived of seeing the two standout stars of the men's game in the same draw.

On Thursday, they were given the gift of Alcaraz announcing he was fit to play in New York after a long spell on the sidelines. Sinner's withdrawal on Friday took away some of that joy.

The exact nature of Sinner's knee injury - and the extent of the issue - has not been disclosed by the Italian, although BBC Sport has been told by a member of his team it is not a problem that requires surgery.

Sinner will spend more time having rehab and practice sessions at home in Monte Carlo as he targets a return to the ATP Tour for the Asian hard-court swing in October.

It appears to be another example of a top star taking the short-term pain of missing a marquee event in order for the long-term gain of protecting their body in an ever-demanding sport.

Draper knows all about making that call.

But the patience which the Briton has been required to show with an injury for which there is no quick fix is wearing thin and taking its toll emotionally.

Injuries will always be part and parcel of elite sport. But the glut of physical issues for several leading players will continue to raise questions about whether tennis is doing enough to protect its stars from reaching breaking point.