Jannik Sinner withdraws from Shanghai Masters after being left unable to walk | Tennis | Sport
Jannik Sinner was forced to withdraw from the Shanghai Masters after repeatedly suffering with cramp during his match against Tallon Griekspoor. The young Italian was the defending champion but saw his hopes of winning back-to-back titles go up in smoke. He was left with no choice but to concede the match, having tried to shake off the painful cramps to no avail.
Sinner started well enough but was not at his brilliant best, with Griekspoor making him work hard in the opening set. It eventually went to a tiebreak and the Italian prevailed to draw first blood in the match. Things took a turn in the second set, when Sinner appeared to injure himself while returning the ball.
He appeared to shake off the problem but went on to lose the set as Griekspoor took advantage to pull himself level. In the third set, Sinner began to struggle with cramp and had to take several breaks as he tried to compose himself.
The reigning Wimbledon champion doubled over in agony on a few occasions as he hobbled around the baseline. He was left unable to walk properly, allowing Griekspoor to win point after point just by returning Sinner’s serves.
During a break in play, Sinner received a quick massage from a physio but was not allowed to take a medical timeout. He eventually rose from his chair and immediately cramped up again, leading to him conceding the match in heartbreaking fashion.
Griekspoor had some kind words for Sinner in his post-match interview, expressing sympathy with the 24-year-old and wishing him well.
“First of all, this is definitely not the way you want to win,” said the Dutchman. “Brutal conditions in Shanghai all week already. We were a bit lucky to play in the evening without sun.
“Two hours and 35 minutes, in the middle of the third set, sorry for him and I wish him a speedy recovery. Like I said, not the way you want to win.
“I thought he played an unbelievable tiebreak and there was not much for me to do. I got a bit lucky in the second [set], sometimes you need a little bit of luck to win these kinds of matches.”
It means Novak Djokovic is the new favourite to win the Shanghai Masters, which would be his first title since his US Open triumph in 2023.
The veteran Serb came from behind to defeat Yannick Hanfmann in three sets earlier on Sunday, having struggled with the hot conditions throughout the match. At one point, he threw up during a change of ends but recovered well to take victory.
Speaking afterwards, Djokovic said: “I’ve been saying it before, it’s the same for every player that steps out on the court, but it’s brutal,” said Djokovic. “It’s brutal when you have over 80 per cent humidity day after day for the guys.
“Particularly when they are playing during the day with heat, with sun, it’s even more brutal. It is what it is, you just have to deal with it. For me, biologically a bit more challenging to deal with it.”
