World number one Jannik Sinner has been eliminated from the French Open. He lost to Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the second round on Thursday. The defeat was a major surprise in the tournament. Sinner had been on a dominant 30-match winning streak. He was considered a strong favourite to win the title.
Sinner stated he felt he had "no energy" during the match. He attributed this to a sudden physical downturn. He felt dizzy and unwell. This happened despite Sinner leading by two sets and holding a significant lead in the third. He lost 3-6 2-6 7-5 6-1 6-1 to the world number 56. Sinner dismissed the unseasonably hot Paris weather as the primary cause of his struggles. Temperatures reached around 34C. He insisted the conditions were manageable and the issue was internal.
This unexpected loss marks Sinner's earliest exit from a Grand Slam since the 2023 French Open. He had reached at least the semi-finals in every major tournament since then until this result. Sinner's busy schedule leading up to the French Open included winning five consecutive ATP Masters 1000 events. This impressive run saw him claim titles in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome. He also completed the career 'Golden Masters'. Critics suggest his demanding schedule may have contributed to his physical collapse.
Sinner acknowledged his packed schedule. He had won 17 matches between April 7 and May 17. He dropped only three sets during this period. However, he defended his approach. "Looking back, it's always tough," Sinner commented on whether he should have skipped events. "I won three tournaments on clay. Incredible results. Amazing streak I've had." He expressed disappointment with the early exit, emphasizing his goal was to win the French Open.
The loss raises questions about Sinner's consistency in long, five-set matches. He made 43 unforced errors in the final three sets. His first-serve percentage dropped significantly. Sinner has now lost 12 of his 18 career matches that went to a deciding fifth set. This result is a significant opportunity missed for the Italian player. It prevents him from potentially completing a career Grand Slam. His next steps will likely involve reassessing his schedule to ensure peak performance in future major events. The focus will be on managing his physical condition to avoid similar downturns.