Jannik Sinner suffered one of the most heartbreaking defeats of is carrer after crashing out of the 2026 French Open in the second round following a dramatic physical collapse in the intense Paris heat . The world No. 1 looked in complete control against Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo, leading two sets and holding a commanding 5-1 advantage in the third, before his condition deteriorated quite quickly.
With the temperature soaring above 30°C, Sinner appeared visibly exhausted, repeatedly using ice packs and cooling aids during changeovers. He admitted that he felt quite weak and low on energy throughout the day . After requiring medical attention and a brief exit from the court, the Italian was unable to recover physically as Cerundolo mounted an extraordinary comeback . The Argentine eventually completed a stunning 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 victory, producing one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.
The defeat ended Sinner’s remarkable 30-match winning streak and his bid for a maiden French Open title . Having dominated much of the 2026 season with the victories in major masters events and entering Roland Garros as one of the favourites, his early exit has completely changed the men’s draw.
Perhaps the biggest beneficiary is Novak Djokovic, the Serbian legend, already a 24-time Grand Slam champion, who now sees a clearer path towards a record-breaking 25th major title. With the fellow Carlos Alcaraz absent due to injury and the unexpected elimination of the sinner, the experience and track record of Djokovic make him one of the leading contenders to lift the trophy in Paris.
The collapse of Sinner will be remembered as one of the defining moments of the tournament, while Djokovic’s pursuit of an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam suddenly looks more realistic than ever before . As Roland Garros moves into its later rounds, all eyes will be on whether the Serbian can capitalise on the opportunity created by the biggest shock of the tournament.
Sources: Times of India |ESPN India
