Canadian Gabriel Diallo withdrew from his first-round match at Roland-Garros 2026 on Sunday after 67 minutes, citing heat illness as temperatures in Paris exceeded 30 degrees Celsius. Diallo was trailing Australian James Duckworth 6-3, 4-1 on Court 12 when he retired.
Why did Diallo retire?
Heat illness forced Diallo's withdrawal during the opening set. The 24-year-old Montreal native told reporters after the match that he was not adequately prepared for the conditions and that the heat worsened rapidly during play. Diallo won 48 per cent of points on his first serve, recorded eight winners, and committed 20 unforced errors before retiring.
What comes next for Diallo?
Diallo said he plans to meet with his team to investigate the incident and determine whether any physiological issues contributed to the heat illness. The withdrawal marks his 13th retirement or withdrawal of the 2026 season. Diallo had previously withdrawn from the Madrid Open about a month earlier due to lower back pain. He was the defending champion at the ATP 250 in Hertogenbosch, having won that title in 2025.
Duckworth's perspective
Duckworth, the 34-year-old Australian making his ninth main-draw appearance at Roland-Garros, said he was playing well before Diallo's retirement. Duckworth noted that he was attempting to play aggressively and dictate points, though he acknowledged it is never pleasant when an opponent withdraws due to injury or illness.
Sources
- ESPN: "No estaba preparado antes del partido": el tenista que se retiró por un golpe de calor en su debut en Roland Garros - ESPN. Published 2026-05-24.
Reported from public sources.