World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic have both been eliminated from the 2026 French Open within 48 hours, upending expectations and leaving the men's draw wide open. Sinner's shock second-round loss to Argentina's Juan Manuel Cerúndolo, ranked No. 56, came after a spectacular physical collapse in Paris heat exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. Djokovic's third-round defeat to 19-year-old Brazilian João Fonseca deepened the sense of chaos at Roland Garros.
How did Sinner collapse against Cerúndolo?
Sinner was cruising toward victory after winning the first two sets 6-3, 6-2 and building a 5-1 lead in the third set while serving for the match. The Italian then lost 15 consecutive points and began to struggle visibly, calling a medical timeout while trailing 0-40 at 5-4 in the third. According to Sky Sports, Sinner reported feeling dizzy and nauseous courtside. He dropped the third set 7-5, was broken twice in the fourth set, and lost the final set 6-1. The entire match lasted three hours 35 minutes.
Sinner's collapse ended a 30-match winning streak stretching back to February and included victories at Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome—the three largest clay-court tuneups before Roland Garros. The Irish Times reported that Sinner described the loss as "tough to accept" given his form, and stated he would likely skip grass-court tournaments to recover before Wimbledon.
Why is the medical timeout decision controversial?
Sinner received a medical timeout for cramping, a condition not normally eligible for such breaks under ATP rules, which treat cramping as a fitness issue rather than an injury. Former Grand Slam champion Jim Courier criticised the decision on TNT Sports, saying it was "absolute baloney" and unfair to Cerúndolo. According to The Times of India, Courier argued that chair umpires were bending rules for top players and that standards should be applied uniformly.
What happened to Djokovic?
Djokovic lost to Fonseca 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 in the third round after leading by two sets. Fonseca became the first teenager to defeat Djokovic at a Grand Slam. According to Bolavip US, Djokovic spoke about his retirement following the loss, raising uncertainty about his future at Roland Garros.
How does this reshape the tournament?
With Sinner and Djokovic gone, Alexander Zverev, ranked No. 2, and other unseeded players have emerged as contenders. Front Office Sports noted that a potential American Grand Slam winner is now possible. The departures of the tournament's two heaviest favourites have transformed the 2026 French Open into one of the most unpredictable editions in recent memory, signalling a possible shift in the balance of power in men's tennis.
Heat has been a recurring issue throughout the early rounds. Casper Ruud reported feeling like "a zombie" from heat effects, and Jakub Mensik collapsed on court after winning a 4-hour-41-minute second-round tiebreaker against Mariano Navone, according to The Boston Globe.
Sources
- Front Office Sports: Heavy French Open Favorite Jannik Sinner Suffers Second-Round Upset. Published 2026-05-28.
- The Irish Times: Jannik Sinner knocked out of French Open after spectacular second-round collapse. Published 2026-05-28.
- Sky Sports: Jannik Sinner knocked out of French Open after suffering with cramp when one game from winning second-round match. Published 2026-05-28.
- The Times of India: 'Absolute baloney': Jim Courier slams Jannik Sinner medical timeout after French Open exit. Published 2026-05-29.
- The Nation: Giants down in Paris. Published 2026-05-31.
- Bolavip US: 2026 Roland Garros updated bracket: Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic eliminated, Alexander Zverev advances to 4th round. Published 2026-05-29.
- The Boston Globe: Some competitors couldn't take the heat of the French Open. Published 2026-05-31.
Reported from public sources.