Sinner’s French Open campaign ends in heat-induced upset
The Italian’s bid for a maiden Roland Garros title and career Grand Slam was halted on Thursday, ending a 30-match winning streak that began in February.
Top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner was eliminated from the French Open on Thursday after a second-round defeat to Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo. The loss, recorded at 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1, abruptly concluded Sinner’s pursuit of a maiden French Open title and a career Grand Slam.
Sinner had dominated the opening two sets and held a commanding 5-1 lead in the third before his form deteriorated. He dropped three consecutive games, requested medical treatment off the court, and subsequently lost the final two sets. The match took place under extreme conditions, with temperatures starting at 29 degrees Celsius and rising to a forecasted 33 degrees Celsius.
Visible signs of exhaustion marked Sinner’s performance on the clay court. He was frequently seen bending over during play and altered his tactical approach, resorting to drop shots and serve-and-volley strategies to shorten points. To manage the heat, Sinner utilised cooling measures including a hand-held fan during changeovers and bags of ice placed around his neck.
The defeat ended Sinner’s 30-match winning streak, which had begun in February 2026. The result also prevented him from completing a career Grand Slam, a milestone that would have required winning the remaining major titles. The opportunity was further complicated by the absence of two-time reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz, who withdrew from the tournament due to an injured right wrist.
This was not the first time Sinner has faced challenges in high-temperature environments. He previously struggled against Eliot Spizzirri at the Australian Open in January, though that match was played under a closed roof, allowing Sinner to secure a victory.
