Sinner withdraws from Rome Masters

Jannik Sinner has been forced to withdraw from the Masters 1000 event in Rome next week due to a hip injury sustained at the Madrid Open, the world number two revealed on Saturday, jeopardising his preparations for the French Open.

Sinner withdrew from his quarter-final against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada in Madrid, and the 22-year-old Italian expressed his heartbreak at having to miss his home tournament, which runs from May 8 to May 19.

"It is not easy to write this message but after talking again with doctors and specialists about my hip problems I have to announce that I will unfortunately not be able to play in Rome," Sinner wrote on social media platform X.

"Of course, I am very sad that I will not be able to recover, as it is one of my favourite tournaments ever. I was looking forward to coming back and playing at home in front of the Italian public."

Sinner is the tournament's second major loss in Rome, following the withdrawal of Spain's world number three and claycourt specialist Carlos Alcaraz due to an arm injury.

Sinner was in excellent form in the early months of the season, winning his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open before adding titles in Rotterdam and Miami.

He started the claycourt season with a semi-final at the Monte Carlo Masters before withdrawing in Madrid.

The French Open starts on May 26.

SportsLigue