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Top-ranked tennis pro Jannik Sinner was one match away from defeating Juan Manuel Cerundolo in straight sets in the second round of the French Open on Thursday. Then the crushing heat of Paris got to him, and the Italian finally saw his impressive winning streak interrupted in stunning fashion.
Sinner entered Thursday’s match against the unseeded Argentine on a 30-game winning streak dating back to February. At the start of the match, it looked like the 24-year-old was going to cruise to victory after winning the first two sets with ease and taking a 5-1 lead in the third.
Jannik Sinner of Italy reacts against Juan Manuel Cerundolo of Argentina during the men’s singles second round on day five of the 2026 French Open at Roland Garros on May 28, 2026, in Paris, France. (Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)
Then things changed, and very quickly.
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Just minutes away from claiming a straight-sets victory, Sinner unthinkably dropped 18 points in a row as the temperature, literally and figuratively, rose on the court. Serving for the match at 5-4 in the third set, Sinner apparently couldn’t go anymore, suddenly bent down on the court and was treated by medical staff.
Sinner claimed he was feeling ill, which led to him being allowed to leave the court for a period of time to have his blood pressure taken. After returning to the court following what some might call preferential treatment, he lost the set 7-5.
Jannik Sinner of Italy reacts against Juan Manuel Cerundolo of Argentina during the men’s singles second round on day five of the 2026 French Open at Roland Garros on May 28, 2026, in Paris, France. (Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)
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While suffering from cramps and heat exhaustion, he essentially went through the motions in losing 18 of the match’s remaining 20 games, falling 6-1, 6-1 in the final two frames.
The temperature at the start of the Sinner-Cerundolo match was 84 degrees Fahrenheit before climbing to just above 90 degrees in the later stages.
Jannik Sinner of Italy suffers during his five-set defeat against Juan Manuel Cerundolo of Argentina on the Philippe Chatrier court in the second round of the singles competition at the 2026 French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros on May 28, 2026, in Paris, France. (Tim Clayton/Getty Images)
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Coming into the event, Sinner was the heavy favorite to make it through the Roland Garros bracket to complete the career Grand Slam, especially since Carlos Alcaraz was not competing due to injury. Now, he will have to wait another year to try to become the 10th male player to achieve this career feat.
Thursday’s loss wasn’t the first time Sinner struggled mightily in high temperatures. In January, he won against the American Elio Spizzirri at the Australian Open. The arena roof was finally closed during the third round match, and Sinner was able to win in four sets before finally losing to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.
