Jannik Sinner’s French Open collapse sparks heat cheat debate after stunning loss to Juan Manuel Cerundolo

Jannik Sinner’s French Open campaign ended in shocking fashion on Thursday after the World No. 1 suffered a dramatic collapse in the brutal Paris heat and lost to Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo despite being just four points away from victory. The match quickly turned into one of the biggest talking points of the tournament, not only because of the comeback but also because of the medical breaks that allowed Sinner to leave the court during the 32C heatwave. Sinner looked fully in control early in the match on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

The Italian star won the first two sets 6-3, 6-2 and then moved ahead 5-1 in the third. But suddenly, everything changed. Sinner began struggling physically, telling medical staff he felt dizzy and thought he might vomit. He was later taken off court while officials checked his blood pressure in an air-conditioned room. The long break immediately sparked criticism from several tennis voices, with former players questioning whether the rules were being stretched for the top-ranked player. After returning, Sinner completely lost momentum and eventually fell 7-5, 1-6, 1-6 in the final three sets.

Jannik Sinner’s medical breaks during French Open loss spark debate over special treatment

The match changed completely after Sinner’s medical timeout. According to Tennis Channel commentator Jim Courier, the situation did not look fair for Cerundolo. Courier said, “This is unfair for Cerundolo. This is not an injury. He should be getting penalised for this. It’s clearly cramping.”

Former British tennis star Tim Henman also questioned why Sinner was allowed to cool down off court for such a long period. Henman said on TNT Sports, “If you are being evaluated for an injury where you need privacy, then obviously you go off the court, but in that scenario, to get 10 minutes in an air-conditioned room, it doesn’t seem quite right.”

Once play restarted, Sinner’s level dropped badly. The 24-year-old struggled to move, held his leg repeatedly, and even used a handheld fan during changeovers. Cerundolo, meanwhile, stayed calm and won 18 of the next 20 games to complete the stunning comeback.

The loss ended Sinner’s incredible run of 30 straight wins and continued a pattern of physical struggles in extreme heat. Earlier this year at the Australian Open, Sinner also needed a break during hot conditions before recovering to win the title. He has previously dealt with cramps at the Shanghai Masters and also looked physically troubled during the Rome Masters semifinal against Daniil Medvedev.

Henman later called it “one of the biggest upsets in Grand Slams for many, many years.”



Stay updated with IPL Live Score and the latest IPL news on Times of India. Follow the IPL schedule and track the race for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap.