Jannik Sinner lost to Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the second round of the French Open.
The Italian was a game away from the third round, leading 5-1 in the third set, but couldn’t get over the line.
Sinner received a medical time-out at 5-4, leaving the court for an assessment.
Where does Jannik Sinner’s defeat to Juan Manuel Cerundolo rank among the most shocking results in tennis history?
Former French Open champion Mats Wilander has now shared what he noticed right before Sinner took the medical time-out.
Mats Wilander thinks something happened to Jannik Sinner’s ‘backside’ before taking a medical time-out
During TNT Sports’ post-match coverage, Wilander offered his thoughts.
“Jannik Sinner is out of the tournament, which is a huge, huge surprise, because he was such a big favourite to win the tournament,” said Wilander.
“But obviously something was wrong with him, maybe he was cramping, maybe it was just the heat, not sure.
“I don’t think it was an injury, because we didn’t see the medical team come back on the court.
“But something happened to him late in the third set, he was serving for the match and then something happened to his backside, and then it got worse.
How would you solve Jannik Sinner being allowed medical treatment for cramps?
Another incident…
“I’m guessing it was cramps, but it’s pretty sad actually.”
Wilander commented on the controversial decision to allow Sinner to take a medical time-out.
“There was something happening with his backside, maybe a muscle,” said Wilander.
“I think when you’re about to cramp, it feels like you’ve pulled a muscle, because if he was cramping, he would not be allowed to get a medical time-out.
“You don’t get medical time-outs for cramping; you can get a massage during the changeover, but you cannot get a medical time-out.
“He did, so it must have been something that he felt, maybe he knew it was cramps, who knows…
“We will find out after the press conference exactly what happened.”
Wilander continued, delivering his verdict on Sinner’s struggles in the heat.
“Obviously, the heat just got to Jannik Sinner, even though he played at 12 o’clock, and the heat is going to be worse here in an hour or two, because at 12, it’s not that bad,” he said.
“So, it’s just a complete shock to everybody.
“I’m shocked that this happened, because he was winning easily, and then suddenly the weather takes out the biggest favourite, the guy that can maybe complete the Career Grand Slam, hasn’t lost a match in 30 matches, it just goes on and on…
“He never found a second gear; that’s something he did in Australia when it happened.
“He got cramps there, and then they had to put the roof on because the heat rule was in effect, but he got himself together again.
- 2026 Australian Open 3R – Jannik Sinner defeated Eliot Spizzirri, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4
“He got himself back together in Rome, against Daniil Medvedev, he was really, really tired there, too.
- 2026 Italian Open SF – Jannik Sinner defeated Daniil Medvedev, 6-2, 5-7, 6-4
“So I thought that he was just going to walk it off and be fully ready to play in the fifth set, but clearly, he was not ready to play again at all.
“He tried as hard as he could, but you just can’t play the way he was feeling.
“It’s really sad for Jannik Sinner; it’s sad for the tournament because he’s been playing so well. Everybody wanted to see him live at Roland Garros and see him play at that level again, and hopefully win the tournament.”
What’s next for Jannik Sinner after shock French Open exit?
Wilander believes it’s time for Sinner to address the biggest weakness in his game.
“Now he’s gone, I’m not sure where he goes from here,” said Wilander.
“He has to address this situation, because it keeps happening a little too often.
“I don’t know if there’s anything you can do for cramps, if there is something in your diet, I have no idea.
“But something needs to happen for him, for sure.”
The result was shocking, but the context wasn’t…
Before the tournament, many fans and pundits rightly predicted that the heat would be Sinner’s biggest obstacle at Roland Garros.
Physical problems plagued Sinner during his first few years on tour, and despite evolving into the best player in the world, they still trouble him from time to time.
Unfortunately for the Italian, this time, it cost him a shot at the Career Grand Slam.
For all his success elsewhere on tour, Sinner has now failed to win either of the first two major tournaments this year.
If he is to bounce back at Wimbledon and defend his title, perhaps Sinner should take Wilander’s advice…
