French Open 2026: Sinner’s Collapse Ends Title Bid, Focus Turns to Wimbledon

Sinner falls to Cerundolo in Paris, says heat wasn’t the issue

Jannik Sinner cites fatigue and illness after losing a 5-1 lead to Juan Manuel Cerundolo, says he may skip grass warm-ups before Wimbledon.

“I just need some time away to recover,” said a visibly shaken Jannik Sinner following his loss in Paris...

Jannik Sinner blamed a mix of factors for running out of steam in Thursday’s stunning French Open defeat. He pointed to a grueling clay-court stretch where he played and won three tournaments in a row on his way into Roland Garros as the favorite.  

Going for his first French Open crown and a career Grand Slam with Carlos Alcaraz sidelined by injury, Sinner was also battling illness. That combination led to a 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 second-round loss to Juan Manuel Cerundolo. After winning titles in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome, plus a straightforward first-round win in Paris, Sinner had nothing left on Court Philippe Chatrier.

“In ‌general, many things came together... I played a ⁠lot, and I didn't have ‌a lot of time to recover,” Sinner said in a packed press conference room.

“I came here, first match, really good, really solid... even though I finished late, but not crazy late.

“This morning I didn't sleep well. When I woke up, I was struggling a bit, but this can happen. Usually, in Grand Slams, you ⁠have a couple of days where you don't feel perfect.

“That was today.”

Heat and humidity have caused problems for Sinner at major tournaments before, but the world No. 1 from South Tyrol in northern Italy said he felt comfortable in Paris even with temperatures climbing above 30°C.

“Shanghai (in October) was very tough. The humidity was high,” Sinner said about his retirement in the Chinese city.

“Australia was very warm (this year), I remember. It's different when you play on hardcourts, because the heat also comes from underneath,” Sinner explained.

“Here, it was warm, but it was okay. It wasn't like I was dying because of the heat. Today, it was a completely different scenario, but this can ‌happen.

“It's tough to accept, of course, because of the position I've been in and everything considered, but now I have a ‌lot of time to recover.”

Sinner said he’s thinking about skipping grass warm-up events and heading straight into Wimbledon, where his title defense starts when the main draw kicks off on June 29.

“I won't play any tournament on grass before (Wimbledon), most likely,” he added.

“I really need some time off to ⁠recover completely, also mentally, and ‌then be ready to go again.”