'Unwell' Jannik Sinner suffers shock defeat to Juan Manuel Cerundolo in French Open second round

Jannik Sinner has slumped to a shock defeat in the second round of the French Open after becoming unwell on court.

The world number one was a huge favourite to win this year's title - the only Grand Slam trophy he hasn't lifted - and was on a 30-match winning streak.

The Italian top seed cruised through the first two sets against world number 56 Juan Manuel Cerundolo, and at 5-1 up in the third was just four points from victory.

However, soaked in sweat and bent over on court at 0-40 down in the 10th game of set three, he was forced to leave for a medical timeout.

Courtside mics recorded him saying he felt dizzy and like he "wanted to vomit" in temperatures that reached 32C (90F).

Sinner was bent over in exhaustion multiple times and resorted to drop shots and serve-and-volley tactics to try to save energy.

He used a fan and draped ice around his neck during changeovers, but his collapse was dramatic and it ended in five sets, losing 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1.

"I didn't feel very well on court," Sinner said. "I struggled, starting to feel very dizzy, very low on energy."

He said he also hadn't felt well when he woke up on Thursday.

"It was warm but not crazy warm," Sinner added. "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."

Argentine player Cerundolo admitted he had been "a little bit lucky".

"He deserved to win this match, and then I don't know what happened. But I feel sorry for him and hope he recovers."

The first week in Paris has been played in an unseasonal heatwave that has affected several players.

Casper Ruud said he felt like a "zombie" during his first-round match, while Czech Jakub Mensik collapsed at the end of a five-set battle on Wednesday.

Sinner's last loss was in February's Qatar Open, but he then followed that with a winning streak in which he won five straight Masters 1000 titles, including the big clay events in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome, and dropped very few sets.

Thursday's French Open defeat is another painful moment in his career so far at Roland Garros.

He let three championship points slip in last year's epic against Carlos Alcaraz, who is currently out injured with a wrist issue, and the Paris tournament is now wide open.

It may even give Serbian Novak Djokovic - who's very much in the twilight of his career - a chance to finally claim a record 25th Grand Slam.

Sinner, who only needs the French Open title to join Alcaraz in completing the career Grand Slam, will now take a break from competition until defending his title at Wimbledon.

(c) Sky News 2026: 'Unwell' Jannik Sinner suffers shock defeat to Juan Manuel Cerundolo in French Open second roun