Jannik Sinner, the world No. 1 tennis player, suffered a shocking second-round defeat at the 2026 French Open, losing 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 to unseeded Argentine Juan Manuel Cerundolo. The loss ended Sinner's 30-match winning streak and dashed his hopes of a maiden French Open title and a career Grand Slam.
Sinner, who arrived in Paris as the overwhelming favorite after winning titles in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome, attributed his collapse to fatigue and illness. He led 5-1 in the third set before losing 18 consecutive points and ultimately succumbing to Cerundolo. The Italian cited a lack of energy, poor sleep, and the physical toll of a grueling clay-court season as contributing factors.
Cerundolo, meanwhile, delivered a career-best performance, rallying from two sets down to secure the upset. His elder brother, Francisco, who was playing a match on a neighboring court, learned of the victory mid-game as spectators shouted updates.
The match also sparked debate over Sinner's use of medical timeouts, with some commentators questioning whether he received preferential treatment. Sinner, however, insisted the heat and his physical condition were the primary reasons for his struggles.
With the loss, Sinner now turns his attention to Wimbledon, where he will aim to recover and regroup.