Jannik Sinner was beaten in the second round of Roland Garros in one of the biggest Grand Slam upsets of all time.
The world number one led Juan Manuel Cerundolo 5-1 in the third set when his body failed him.
Suffering from cramps again, Sinner failed in his bid to complete the Career Grand Slam.
Where does Jannik Sinner’s defeat to Juan Manuel Cerundolo rank among the most shocking results in tennis history?
He has, however, now been given a potential solution to his cramping problem…
Daria Saville suggests increasing ‘electrolyte intake’ could solve Jannik Sinner’s cramping problem
Kim Clijsters’ ‘Love All’ podcast co-host, Blair Henley, made the following observation on X after Sinner’s latest cramping incident.
“I think about Zizou Bergs doing all sorts of tests to figure out why he cramped so often,” she said.
“He discovered that he was a ‘salt sweater’ and expelled more salt than usual when he sweated.
“Adjusted sodium intake (literally had salt packets on court with him) solved his problem.”
Australian tennis player Daria Saville was also keen to share her thoughts on X.
“I did the same testing because I used to cramp during night matches,” said Saville.
“I was hydrating all day with water, but I was also peeing a lot and flushing out all my salt.
“Once I increased my electrolyte intake, the cramping at night disappeared.”
If Sinner hasn’t already undergone the same tests as Saville and Zizou Bergs, he should.
His physical struggles are arguably the only weakness to his game, but it’s a significant issue.
For all his dominance elsewhere on tour, Sinner has only won one of the last five major tournaments.
Those ‘failures’ weren’t all caused by cramps, of course, but they definitely didn’t help.
Jannik Sinner at the last five Grand Slams
- 2026 French Open – Lost in 2R to Juan Manuel Cerundolo
- 2026 Australian Open – Lost in SF to Novak Djokovic
- 2025 US Open – Lost in F to Carlos Alcaraz
- 2025 Wimbledon – Champion
- 2025 French Open – Lost in F to Carlos Alcaraz
If he wants to add a fifth major title to his collection, something needs to change.
Increasing his electrolyte intake may not solve the problem, but if it’s safe to do so, surely it’s worth a try.
Jannik Sinner has only won 33% of his five-set matches
Sinner has only won six of the 18 five-set matches he’s played in his career.
Jannik Sinner’s record in five-set matches (6-12)
| Match | Opponent | Result | Score | Match time |
| 2026 French Open – 2R | Juan Manuel Cerundolo | LOSS | 6-3, 6-2, 5-7, 1-6, 1-6 | 3hr, 36 |
| 2026 Australian Open – SF | Novak Djokovic | LOSS | 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 4-6 | 4hr, 09 |
| 2025 French Open – F | Carlos Alcaraz | LOSS | 6-4, 7-6, 4-6, 6-7, 6-7 | 5hr, 29 |
| 2024 Wimbledon – QF | Daniil Medvedev | LOSS | 7-6, 4-6, 6-7, 6-2, 3-6 | 4hr, 00 |
| 2024 French Open – SF | Carlos Alcaraz | LOSS | 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 3-6 | 4hr, 09 |
| 2024 Australian Open – F | Daniil Medvedev | WIN | 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 | 3hr, 44 |
| 2023 US Open – 4R | Alexander Zverev | LOSS | 4-6, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, 3-6 | 4hr, 41 |
| 2023 French Open – 2R | Daniel Altmaier | LOSS | 7-6, 6-7, 6-1, 6-7, 5-7 | 5hr, 26 |
| 2023 Australian Open – 4R | Stefanos Tsitsipas | LOSS | 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6 | 4hr, 00 |
| 2023 Australian Open – 3R | Marton Fucsovics | WIN | 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 | 3hr, 33 |
| 2022 US Open – QF | Carlos Alcaraz | LOSS | 3-6, 7-6, 7-6, 5-7, 3-6 | 5hr, 15 |
| 2022 US Open – 4R | Ilya Ivashka | WIN | 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 | 3hr, 48 |
| 2022 US Open – 1R | Daniel Altmaier | WIN | 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 | 3hr, 35 |
| 2022 Wimbledon – QF | Novak Djokovic | LOSS | 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 2-6, 2-6 | 3hr, 35 |
| 2021 US Open – 3R | Gael Monfils | WIN | 7-6, 6-2, 4-6, 4-6, 6-4 | 3hr, 42 |
| 2021 French Open – 1R | Pierre Hugues Herbert | WIN | 6-1, 4-6, 6-7, 7-5, 6-4 | 3hr, 32 |
| 2021 Australian Open – 1R | Denis Shapovalov | LOSS | 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 6-4, 4-6 | 3hr, 55 |
| 2020 US Open – 1R | Karen Khachanov | LOSS | 6-3, 7-6, 2-6, 0-6, 6-7 | 3hr, 44 |
When his body is pushed to the limit, more often than not, it can’t cope.
You can’t help but wonder how many more Grand Slams Sinner would have won if he was better suited to playing five-set matches.
Sinner will have an opportunity to bounce back and win his fifth major title at Wimbledon later this summer.
The 2026 Wimbledon Championships begin on Monday, June 29.
