Jannik Sinner exited the French Open on Thursday, losing to Juan Manuel Cerundolo in five sets.
The top seed was sailing through to the third round of Roland Garros, leading 5-1 in the third set when things started to unravel.
Sinner failed to serve out the match before taking a medical time-out at 5-4, as the heat looked to take its toll.
How would you solve Jannik Sinner being allowed medical treatment for cramps?
Another incident…
However, during his press conference, Sinner explained that, contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t the heat that cost him the match.
Jannik Sinner says he didn’t feel well when he woke up and doesn’t blame the heat for French Open exit
Sinner was asked what happened at 5-1 in the third set.
“I struggled and started to feel very dizzy, very low on energy,” he said.
“I tried to serve it out but didn’t have a lot of energy.
“In the fourth set, I let it go a little bit trying to have a bit more energy in the fifth.
“The first one was a very important game and I couldn’t hold.
“Then it went a bit downwards.
“I woke up this morning, didn’t feel very well and tried to keep the points very short.
“Also, in the beginning I was hitting very clean, very good, and then I just kind of hit the wall, and that’s it.”
The Italian pinpointed the moment he ‘hit the wall’ against Cerundolo.
“The middle of the third set, even though I was playing some great tennis,” said Sinner.
“I really couldn’t find any energy today.
“It was a tough spot to be in. But, again, this is the sport.
Jannik Sinner vs Juan Manuel Cerundolo – Match stats
| Stats | Jannik Sinner | Juan Manuel Cerundolo |
| Aces | 5 | 14 |
| Double faults | 7 | 5 |
| 1st Serve % | 61% | 62% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 63% | 68% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 49% | 62% |
| Break points | 5/16 | 8/14 |
“It was warm but not crazy warm. I feel like it was quite ok to play.
“Really, it was nothing against the heat, nothing against the weather. It was just me today, but it happens.”
Before the match, many questioned the decision to schedule Sinner first on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Some argued the unconventional move would benefit Sinner, as he would miss the hottest part of the day.
His coach, Darren Cahill, disagreed with those suggestions and the claims that the team requested the slot during a pre-match interview with TNT Sports.
“I think if we were trying to get away from the sun, we would have asked for the night match or first match on [Suzanne] Lenglen!” said Cahill.
“No, we knew after he won his first round that he’d probably be first or second on [Philippe] Chatrier today, so for us it didn’t matter if he was first or second. He was scheduled first, no problems for us.”
The schedule may not have been a problem, but Sinner’s fitness certainly was.
Jannik Sinner deserves credit despite French Open defeat
Most players would have retired from the match in Sinner’s position, but he kept fighting till the end.
The Italian takes his fair share of criticism, but surely even his harshest critics can recognise and respect the resilience he displayed today on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Where does Jannik Sinner’s defeat to Juan Manuel Cerundolo rank among the most shocking results in tennis history?
Watching his French Open dream crumble in front of him, Sinner conducted himself with the class of a true champion.
Whether he will ever become a champion at Roland Garros remains to be seen…
