Jannik Sinner has been knocked out of Roland Garros.
Yes, you did read that correctly.
Jannik Sinner, the overwhelming favourite to win his first Roland Garros title, was knocked out of the event by Juan Manuel Cerundolo on Thursday afternoon.
Where does Jannik Sinner’s defeat to Juan Manuel Cerundolo rank among the most shocking results in tennis history?
The Italian looked to be in full control of the match while leading 6-3, 6-2, 5-1. However, he suffered a bout of cramping and never truly recovered.
Sinner even took a medical timeout to try and correct the issue, much to Jim Courier’s distaste.
Cerundolo remained resolute throughout and eventually secured a 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 victory on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Jannik Sinner joins Rafael Nadal in making unfortunate history
As per statisticians OptaAce, Jannik Sinner has become only the second top-seed in the last 20 years to lose in the second round of a Grand Slam men’s singles event.
The only other number one seed to do so is Rafael Nadal.
Nadal, the number one seed at the 2023 Australian Open, was defeated in the second round by American Mackenzie McDonald.
Nadal, like Sinner, struggled with injury during the match; and McDonald eventually secured a 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 victory over the top seed.
Returning to Sinner, his exit from this year’s event has blown the draw wide open.
For the first time since the 2023 US Open, a man not named Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner will win a Grand Slam title.
Novak Djokovic, who won the 2023 US Open, is now quite possibly the favourite to win his 25th Grand Slam title in the French capital.
If Djokovic accomplishes the feat, he will become the most successful singles player in Grand Slam history.
Jannik Sinner’s Grand Slam record since the start of 2024
- 2024 Australian Open – Champion
- 2024 Roland Garros – Semi-finals
- 2024 Wimbledon – Quarter-finals
- 2024 US Open – Champion
- 2025 Australian Open – Champion
- 2025 Roland Garros – Runner-up
- 2025 Wimbledon – Champion
- 2025 US Open – Runner-up
- 2026 Australian Open – Semi-finals
- 2026 Roland Garros – Second round
Juan Manuel Cerundolo deserves praise
Juan Manuel Cerundolo deserves immense praise for the way he maintained his composure throughout Thursday’s monumental contest.
The Argentine could have easily lost his cool during the match, especially when Sinner was granted a controversial medical timeout.
However, the world number 56 remained resolute, and is fully deserving of his victory.
He also did not buckle under the pressure when attempting to close out the match.
The 24-year-old remained ice cool throughout the final set and rarely looked fazed during the final few games of the contest.
Cerundolo, who will now make his debut appearance in a Grand Slam third round, will play Martin Landaluce or Vit Kopriva in the next round.
