2026-05-29 10:39:19

Jannik Sinner refused to blame the heat for his shocking exit at the French Open.

The world number one was beaten in five sets by Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the second round at Roland Garros on Thursday (28.05.26) after struggling physically during the contest, but suggested it was caused by illness rather than the scorching temperatures in Paris.

Sinner – who had served for the match during the third set – told reporters post-match: “I didn’t feel very well on court. I struggled, starting to feel very dizzy, very low on energy.

“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 middle of the third set, even though I was playing some great tennis, but I really couldn’t find any energy today.

“It was a tough spot to be in. But, again, this is the sport. It was warm but not crazy warm. I feel like it was quite okay to play. Really it was nothing against the heat, nothing against the weather. It was just me today, but it happens.

“I always try to look at the positive side. If you watch the whole clay swing, [it has gone] very well. I played really good, winning three tournaments in a row on clay.

“Coming here, also how I was playing tennis, I felt very well, hitting the ball in a good way, moving well and today was just not meant to be.

“I think many things together caused this problem today, but again, it can happen.

“I just need my time now to process what went wrong here and positives also that we can put in good practice weeks before Wimbledon.”

Sinner had been on a 30-match winning streak prior to his stunning loss but denied suggestions that he played too many tournaments in the lead-up to the French Open.

The four-time major champion said: “You don’t know. I mean, if I don’t play Madrid or if I don’t play Rome, maybe I come here and I still have a day like this where you feel sick.

“I won three tournaments on clay. Incredible results. It’s an amazing streak I’ve had. Of course, in the beginning of the year, this is my main goal here.

“A very early exit was not what I was looking for, but you also don’t know if things would have changed if I would maybe skip Madrid and play only Rome or maybe skipping Rome and come here. You never know.”

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