Jannik Sinner was one game away from the third round of the 2026 French Open when his second-round match took a concerning turn. The World No. 1 eventually halted the match mid-game at 6-3, 6-2, 5-4 (0-40) to address his physical struggles.
Chair Umpire Aurélie Tourte explained the rules before Sinner opted for a medical timeout.
Jannik Sinner’s French Open Match Faces Delay As World No. 1 Struggles Physically
Sinner was cruising through his second match against Juan Manuel Cerúndolo on Thursday, May 28. The Italian, who is on a 30-match winning streak, secured the first set with a 6-3 score. Sinner was similarly dominant in the second set, allowing his opponent just two games. The Italian continued his supremacy in the third set, leading 5-1 and then 5-2 while serving for the match. At this moment, he appeared to be physically compromised, and he repeatedly grabbed his legs.
Sinner was unable to move and surrendered multiple rallies to lose one break advantage. At 5-4 (0-40), the 24-year-old halted completely and sat courtside. Chair umpire Tourte was quick to rush to check on him. She explained that if he opted for a medical timeout midgame, he would receive a time violation and a second such instance would prompt a code violation.
“If I give time away, how does it work now? I can’t do it. I cannot wait,” Sinner was heard saying. “I don’t know if it’s dehydration.”
“if you can’t wait it depends on what you have. Either you get a time violation, and after, it’s a code violation. Then otherwise we need to see with the physio what it is,” Tourte responded. “It’s up to you. It’s either we call the physio now, they check on you, then we resume play.”
The physio is called for Jannik Sinner after Juan Manuel Cerundolo fights back from 1-5 down to one point away from levelling the set! pic.twitter.com/JQGllnvHvu
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) May 28, 2026
Sinner proceeded with the timeout and called for a physio and doctor. He was escorted for off-court treatment as he complained about dizziness and an urge to vomit. It is worth noting that Paris is presently experiencing a heatwave, with several players struggling in brutal conditions.
When Sinner called for a medical timeout, the temperature reportedly hovered around 92 Fahrenheit (33.3 degrees Celsius). After returning to the court, the World No. 1 lost the next point, leveling the score 5-5. He then lost his next service game to drop the set with the score reading 6-3, 6-2, 5-7.
