Jannik Sinner’s susceptibility to heat has surfaced again, contributing to his defeat at the French Open.
Sinner’s vulnerability in hotter conditions has been a known weakness since his early years as a top player. The world No. 1 fell to Juan Manuel Cerúndolo in the second round.
Sinner’s Struggles in the Heat
Sinner experienced dizziness and cramps during his second-round match. This occurred as temperatures climbed towards the 90s at Roland Garros. Sinner, on a 30-match winning streak, saw his discomfort escalate after leading 6-3, 6-2, 5-2.
He said in a news conference that he woke up not feeling very well. Sinner struggled to land the ball in the court.
Balls he would normally have chased down passed him by. He was seen crouching at the back of the court or standing on the baseline with his hands on his hips.
Heat Rule in Focus
Sinner downplayed the impact of the heat in his post-match news conference. He said it was “warm, but not crazy warm.”
A spokesperson for the French Tennis Federation stated that the temperatures were not high enough to trigger the French Open’s heat rule. The temperature was around 90 degrees. The rule is based on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), which factors in humidity, sun, and wind.
The rule allows for a 10-minute break between the second and third sets in women’s matches, and between the third and fourth sets in men’s matches if the WBGT reaches 86 degrees or higher. If it hits 90 degrees, outdoor matches are suspended.
There have been no suspensions this year.
Recurring Concerns for Sinner
This isn’t the first time Sinner has struggled with the heat. It nearly affected him at the Australian Open in January. On that occasion, Novak Djokovic defeated him.
- Sinner lost to Juan Manuel Cerúndolo in the second round of the French Open.
- Temperatures reached around 90 degrees.
- The French Open’s heat rule wasn’t engaged.
Sinner’s defeat exposed a recurring vulnerability on a major stage. He appeared to be affected by the draining qualities of an illness.