Knee injury ends Sinner’s season: Zverev, new world number one, meets Musetti in Paris

“I wish you all the best for this new chapter of your life. You will be hugely missed, especially away from the courts, in the locker room and at the restaurant.” On Tuesday evening, on the screen of the Rolex Paris Masters centre court, Jannik Sinner said goodbye to Gaël Monfils, who was bidding farewell to tennis. The Italian had not spoken publicly for weeks: his tribute to “La Monf”, one of the most liked players in the locker room, came by video.

A knee that ended the season

The silence comes down to his right knee: an inflammation has kept him off the courts since Wimbledon and ended his 2026 season. The withdrawals piled up, in Montreal, Cincinnati, the US Open where he was the defending champion, then Beijing, Shanghai and the ATP Finals in Turin, which he won in 2024 and 2025. No surgery is mentioned. “The body is the only opponent you cannot beat,” Sinner told the magazine D. His comeback is set for the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, an exhibition, from 27 to 30 December.

Zverev number one, first match on Wednesday

The rankings published on 2 November confirmed the change at the top: Alexander Zverev is the new world number one, taking over from Sinner. His first match in that position comes on Wednesday, in the second round of the Paris Masters, against Lorenzo Musetti (1.30 pm, first match on centre court). Bookmakers give him roughly two wins in three: 1.40 with Bwin. Zverev arrives from a semi-final loss in Vienna to Alex De Minaur (4-6, 6-1, 6-7); Musetti saw off Hubert Hurkacz on Monday in two tie-breaks (7-6, 7-6).

The match, the expected gap in games included, is broken down in our Zverev v Musetti preview. 18+. Only bet what you can afford to lose.