Jannik Sinner's 2025 season, marked by brilliance and resilience, took one other irritating twist on the Shanghai Masters. World no. 2 confronted Tallon Griekspoor in difficult circumstances within the third spherical, and his physique cracked below strain.
The defending champion trailed 6-7, 7-5, 3-2 after over two and a half hours earlier than ending his marketing campaign within the worst manner, retiring and leaving the court docket limping after scuffling with extreme cramps and fatigue.
In contrast to Carlos Alcaraz, who skipped Shanghai after profitable Tokyo, Jannik chased Beijing-Shanghai double. As a substitute of searching for the title protection, the 24-year-old known as it a day earlier and joined a really unique and undesirable checklist in Masters 1000 historical past.
💔 Jannik Sinner pressured to retire in Shanghai.
As followers, these photos are extremely exhausting to look at — he gave all the things till his physique couldn’t take it anymore. Finish of the Asian swing.
Nobody cares concerning the factors or the title not defended — simply wishing you a full restoration,… pic.twitter.com/DGgfpMmE8H
— The Sinner Instances (@sinnertimes) October 5, 2025
For the reason that introduction of the premium ATP collection in 1990, solely 4 gamers had ever retired whereas making an attempt to win back-to-back titles. Together with his retirements in Cincinnati and Shanghai, Jannik grew to become the primary participant to do it twice!
It began in 1999 when Greg Rusedski retired in opposition to Albert Costa within the second spherical after dropping a good opener within the tie break, ending his title protection goals.
Two years later, the reigning champion Marat Safin confronted Nicolas Escude within the first spherical of the Canada Masters in Montreal. Scuffling with a knee harm, the Russian retired after getting damaged two occasions within the second set.
Escude led 6-4, 5-2 when the mercurial Russian ended his marketing campaign, leaving the court docket booed by the group. The house favourite Andy Roddick wished for an additional nice run on the 2005 Miami Open after lifting a trophy a 12 months earlier.
Jannik Sinner, Shanghai Masters 2025© Stream screenshot
Nevertheless, the American skilled a setback in opposition to Fernando Verdasco within the second spherical, trailing 7-6, 4-3 and retiring on account of wrist issues. 20 years later, Jannik Sinner embraced two heartbreaking retirements.
He misplaced the Cincinnati crown to Carlos Alcaraz after a horrible begin, struggling bodily in tough circumstances and terminating his resistance after trailing 5-0 within the opening set.
A number of months later, the 24-year-old mirrored that setback in Shanghai. The Italian wished for an additional deep run a few days after conquering Beijing, returning to Shanghai as the highest favourite within the absence of Carlos Alcaraz.
Nevertheless, final 12 months's winner didn’t go the second impediment. He gained the opener in opposition to Tallon Griekspoor within the tie break and missed his possibilities within the second set, squandering six break factors in two video games.
Jannik Sinner, Shanghai Masters 2025© Stream screenshot
Griekspoor stole the set 7-5 with a late break and compelled his rival to spend extra time on the court docket. Sinner's physique faltered following extreme cramps and proper leg points.
He held two occasions earlier than struggling a break at love at 2-2. He known as for a medical timeout and retired after barely standing on his troubled leg. The Italian's setback is a reminder that even the game's fittest and most disciplined gamers often face limits past their management.
His retirements in Cincinnati and Shanghai underscore the brutal depth of the trendy sport, the place gamers push their our bodies to the brink in pursuit of glory, particularly repeated one!
