The biggest tennis sensation of 2026 is a reality on the clay courts of Paris! The number one racket in the world and the biggest favorite to win this Grand Slam, Yannick Sinclair , was eliminated in the second round of Roland Garros by the 56th-ranked Argentine, Juan Manuel Cerundolo , after an epic five-set comeback – 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1.
The Italian had everything in his hands, leading 2-0 in sets and was up an incredible 5-1 in the third set, just one game away from final triumph, when an unprecedented collapse occurred on the Philippe Chatrier court.
No. 1 Jannik Sinner exited the court after dealing with apparent cramps. #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/2jtqoUOf3R
— TNT Sports U.S. (@TNTSportsUS) May 28, 2026
Illegal medical timeout and commentators' fury
The drama began when Sinner began to lose points rapidly, racking up 15 consecutive losses due to severe cramps, dehydration and nausea . Instead of being penalized for being late for his serve, the chair umpire allowed the Italian to request a controversial medical timeout and briefly leave the court.
This decision was met with brutal criticism from legendary tennis analyst on the TNT TV network, Jim Courier, who called the decision "absolute baloney" live on the broadcast.
"It's not fair. It's not right. We love the top players, they drive this sport, but the rules have to be applied equally to everyone. The rules bend when it comes to the best," Jim Courier roared on the broadcast.
The situation was identical to that of the recent Masters in Rome, when Daniil Medvedev protested vociferously on court because Siner was granted a timeout for cramps, demanding an immediate change to the ATP's rules for such situations.
No. 1 Jannik Sinner is ON THE ROPES right now in a five-set battle 😱
- Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 28, 2026
The top ranked player in the world is facing elimination after battling cramps due to the heat 👀
Watch Roland-Garros on TNT 📺 pic.twitter.com/FPXUwuddmP
Cerundolo ends 30-fight winning streak
After returning to the court, Yannick Sinner was a pale shadow of his former self . Argentine Juan Manuel Cerundolo coolly took advantage of his opponent's physical decline, winning the next 6 games in a row to steal the third set 7-5, and then with a brutal 6-1 and 6-1 in the next two sets, sealed the biggest victory of his career.
The Argentine won an incredible 18 of the last 20 games of the match and advanced to the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career. On the other hand, this shocking defeat definitely ended Sinner 's incredible streak of 30 consecutive victories that had lasted since February of this year.
