“We redheads have a hard time in the heat”: Jannik Sinner with a dramatic second-round exit in Paris

Sinner was already leading 5-1 in the third set – before his body went on strike and dramatic scenes took place on the Court Philippe Chatrier. After that, the world number one only won two games

This means that German tennis star Zverev’s hopes of winning the Grand Slam tournament he longed for have increased significantly. Sinner, who beat Zverev nine times in a row in direct duels, was considered the Hamburger’s biggest title competitor.

Sinner felt “very dizzy”

For Sinner it was the first defeat after 30 wins in a row. When everything on Court Philippe Chatrier looked like a quick second-round victory, things took a drastic turn: the midday heat of 30 degrees and lots of sun was now causing huge problems for Sinner. He limped, stretched and massaged his left leg during a break on the bench. After a rally, he leaned against a board, completely exhausted.

“It must be really extremely bad, he doesn’t move a millimeter anymore,” said ex-professional Philipp Kohlschreiber at Eurosport. When the score was 5:4 and 0:40, after Sinner had lost 15 points in a row, he requested a medical time-out. He also felt “very dizzy,” the South Tyrolean told a physiotherapist. And he told the referee that he felt dehydrated and was vomiting.

Sinner struggles and gasps

Sinner also suffered after the break and lost the third set with almost no resistance. He then left the pitch again for a break in the cabin. After returning, the Italian moved a little better, but he didn’t feel good. At times he crouched in the shadows and almost vomited. He kept leaning on his bat and breathing heavily.

“The way he has been dragging himself around and tormenting himself for an hour and a half now is really, really bitter,” said Kohlschreiber. The struggling favorite tried to keep the rallies as short as possible. At times he only played from a standing position. Cerundolo played cleverly, he made numerous stops and played with a lot of spin. After 3:36 hours, the biggest surprise of the tournament so far was clear.

Sinner had recently had physical problems a few times in similar conditions. “We redheads have a hard time in the heat,” tennis idol Boris Becker said before the second round match: “The weather is his biggest opponent.”

The last time Sinner was eliminated in the second round of a Grand Slam tournament was three years ago, also in Paris. His opponent at that time was the German professional Daniel Altmaier.