Top seed Sinner exits French Open

Jaanik Sinner, the world number one and heavy favourite at Roland Garos, was eliminated in the second round after suffering severe cramp while serving for the match. He led comfortably 6-3, 6-2, 5-1, then his body then gave out and Juan Manuel Cerundo fought back to win in five sets.

The tables turn

Sinner dominated the opening two sets and moved to 5-1 in the third, appearing own course for a routine finish. Then the match turned, flipping the script entirely. Sinner lost 15 consecutive points across the third set. He called for a medical timeout and received treatment mid game. He fell behind, dropped the third 7-5, was broken twice in the fourth and then lost the decider 6-1.

Courtside microphones picked up Sinner saying he felt dizzy and nauseous as the collapse began. He repeatedly bent over in exhaustion, used a hand-held fan between changeovers and iced his neck in an attempt to recover. He simply could not sustain the intensity, slowing down and shortening points with drop shots and serve-and-volley tactics.

Sinner arrived in Paris on a remarkable run, a 30-match winning streak that included multiple clay titles. He also had a recent record that made him the tournament favourite, especially with Carlos Alcaraz absent through injury. That run of form has made this defeat even more unexpected. It was his earliest Grand Slam exit since 2024.

Roland Garos impact

Cerundolo, who had been trailing for much of the match, benefited from the injury to Sinner as he was on the verge of crashing out. The upset reshuffles the men’s draw. A top seed out early paves the way for lower ranking players and changes the balance of favourites. This happened at a tournament where Sinner had been the benchmark.

Temperatures rose from about 29C to 32C during the match. While his symptoms looked like a reaction to the heat, this heat would not be the sole cause of the loss. Heavy match load, sudden loss of energy raises questions about scheduling and recovery for top players.

What next for Sinner

For Sinner the immediate priority is recovery. He has a short window before Wimbledon begins to regroup and decide how to manage the remainder of the season. For now, his exit paves the way for other players prepared for tougher challenges.

The result is a clear reminder that physical fragility can change matches in an instant, regardless of form and rankings on clay, where long rallies and heat can expose even the best.

Takeaways

• Unexpected collapse: Sinner was one game from victory when cramp and dizziness ended his run.
• Momentum lost: A 30‑match streak halted; a major title favourite is out.
• Recovery focus: Sinner will need time to recover and reassess his schedule before grass season.

The match will be remembered less for tactical than Sinner’s sudden physical collapse from a winning position. The French Open moves on, and Sinner’s season now turns to recovery.

Featured image via Matthew Stockman / Getty Images