Jannik Sinner’s bid to complete the Career Grand Slam came to an abrupt halt on Thursday at Roland Garros, but the World No. 1 made clear afterward that his defeat to Juan Manuel Cerundolo was shaped as much by his physical condition as by the tennis itself.
The Italian led by two sets and held a commanding 5-1 advantage in the third before his level suddenly dropped in a dramatic turnaround on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Cerundolo, ranked World No. 56, capitalized on Sinner’s visible physical struggles to secure a 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 victory in one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 season.
Sinner later explained that the problems had started well before the match. The 24-year-old described waking up feeling unwell, struggling for energy during the morning and eventually reaching a point midway through the third set where his body “hit the wall.”
The defeat ended Sinner’s 30-match winning streak and denied him another opportunity to become the seventh man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam. Despite arriving in Paris after winning three consecutive clay-court titles, the Italian said the physical accumulation of recent weeks ultimately caught up with him.
Sinner details dizziness and energy loss during collapse
Sinner admitted he began feeling physically compromised midway through the third set, even while still controlling the match on the scoreboard. After dominating the opening stages with clean ball-striking and aggressive serving, he suddenly struggled to maintain intensity, movement and energy levels.
He explained that the issue was not primarily caused by the Paris heat, despite temperatures climbing above 33 degrees during the day and Roland Garros operating under difficult conditions throughout Thursday’s schedule. Instead, Sinner pointed to a broader physical exhaustion that had built over time.
“I struggled. I started to feel very dizzy, very low of energy and tried to serve it out, but didn't have a lot of energy. Fourth set, I let it go a little bit, trying to have a bit more energy in the fifth. It was a very important game. The first one I couldn't hold and then it went a bit downwards.”
The Italian also revealed he had concerns from the moment he woke up on match day. Although he initially managed to play at a high level, especially during the first two sets, he said the decline arrived abruptly once the physical reserves disappeared.
“I woke up this morning and 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.”
“I don’t remember the last time I felt this weak”
As the match progressed, Sinner’s condition visibly deteriorated. He twice failed to serve out the contest in the third set and required an off-court medical timeout while leading 5-4. From there, Cerundolo won 18 of the final 20 games as the Italian struggled to recover physically.
Sinner said he considered survival tactics rather than retirement during the fourth set, intentionally conserving energy in the hope that he could still compete in a deciding fifth. Even then, he acknowledged his body never truly recovered.
“As I said, the fourth set I let go to recover also physically," the Italian added. "And fifth set, we all know everything can happen. It was tough. I was in a tough spot in the fourth and also in the fifth at some point. I didn't have energy, really. I was very, very flat, the whole body. I don't remember the last time I felt this weak.”
The World No. 1 was careful not to diminish Cerundolo’s performance despite the circumstances. He repeatedly praised the Argentine for staying composed and taking advantage of the opening once momentum shifted completely.
Sinner points to packed schedule and recovery concerns
While Sinner avoided using his schedule as an excuse, he acknowledged the relentless demands of the season may have contributed to the collapse. Entering Roland Garros, the Italian had won all five ATP Masters 1000 events contested in 2026 and carried a 37-3 record for the season.
“I played a lot and didn't have a lot of time to recover. I came here, first match, really good, really solid," the 24-year-old player claimed. "But when you come back the day after, you still don't have a lot of time. I felt this morning I didn't sleep very well. This morning when I woke up, I was struggling a bit, but this can happen.”
Despite the disappointment, Sinner attempted to keep perspective on a season that has still established him as the dominant player in men’s tennis. “I always try to look at the positive side. If you watch the whole clay swing, very well. I played really, really good winning three tournaments in a row on clay. Today was just not meant to be. I just need my time now to process what went wrong here.”
Looking ahead, Sinner said he will now prioritise recovery before Wimbledon, with no confirmed commitment to play any grass-court tournaments beforehand. “Now I need some time off to recover completely,” the 4-time Grand Slam champion added. “Most likely I won’t play any tournaments on grass before Wimbledon.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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