Jannik Sinner’s run at the 2026 French Open came to a sudden end on Thursday, May 28, at Roland Garros in Paris, where the world No. 1 lost to Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerúndolo in five sets on Day 5 of the tournament. The defeat snapped Sinner’s 30-match winning streak and marked one of the biggest upsets of the event so far.
Sinner, 24, had entered the match with strong momentum, but conditions in Paris proved difficult as temperatures on the clay court reportedly climbed to around 90 degrees. During the match, he appeared to struggle in the heat and required medical attention between the third and fourth sets.
Afterward, Sinner described a sharp drop in energy and said he felt dizzy during the contest. He explained that he tried to keep the points short and manage his effort, but his condition worsened as the match progressed. He said he had felt unwell when he woke up in the morning and later “hit the wall,” leaving him unable to sustain the level he had shown earlier in the match.
The loss was especially notable because Sinner had been on a 30-match winning streak before facing Cerúndolo, also 24, who capitalized on the challenging conditions and fought through a lengthy five-set battle to claim the victory. The result sent Cerúndolo through while ending Sinner’s impressive stretch of dominance on the tour.
The Italian star has been one of the leading players in men’s tennis and arrived at Roland Garros as the top seed. His early exit adds major intrigue to the rest of the French Open draw and opens the door for other contenders to advance deeper into the tournament.
Sinner’s comments after the match made clear that the turning point came when his physical condition deteriorated. Even after trying to adjust his approach and conserve energy, he was unable to recover enough to stop Cerúndolo’s momentum. The match became increasingly difficult in the later sets, and Sinner acknowledged that he could no longer sustain his level.
The defeat also comes amid growing attention on the rivalry between Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, one of the sport’s most closely watched matchups. Alcaraz recently discussed that rivalry, adding to the buildup around the tournament’s top players. But for Sinner, Thursday’s result was a disappointing setback in a season that had otherwise featured remarkable consistency.
Cerúndolo’s victory will be remembered as a breakthrough moment, while Sinner’s exit stands as a reminder of how quickly conditions can change in Grand Slam tennis. With extreme heat, physical strain, and a long five-set match all playing a role, the world No. 1’s French Open campaign ended far earlier than expected.
