Jannik Sinner’s hopes of defending his Shanghai Masters 2025 crown came to a heartbreaking end after the World No 2 was forced to retire during his third-round clash against Tallon Griekspoor. The Italian tennis star was trailing 6-7(3) 7-5 3-2 when painful cramps in his right thigh made it impossible for him to continue. After more than two and a half hours of intense play under extreme humidity, Sinner left the court assisted by medical trainers as fans watched in silence.
Throughout the match, Sinner showed flashes of brilliance, winning the first set in a thrilling tiebreak and displaying his signature aggressive baseline play. However, as the Shanghai humidity began to take its toll, the Italian appeared visibly drained. By the second set, he was frequently applying ice towels during changeovers and moving slower across the court. Eventually, after losing a crucial service game in the third set, he collapsed in discomfort, signaling his retirement.
The Shanghai Masters 2025 has been dominated by talk of brutal weather conditions. Players have been battling humidity levels exceeding 80 percent, with many describing the atmosphere as suffocating. Griekspoor expressed sympathy after the match, saying, “This is never the way you want to win, but the conditions here have been extremely tough for everyone.”
In another match from the same session, Novak Djokovic also struggled with the heat, describing the environment as “brutal.” The Serbian star was even spotted vomiting during a changeover but managed to complete his three-set victory over Yannick Hanfmann. Djokovic admitted he could not remember the last time he played in such demanding conditions.
Sinner’s exit comes just days after he lifted the trophy in Beijing, where he looked unstoppable. His form made him one of the top favorites to win back-to-back titles in China. The retirement also handed Griekspoor his first-ever win against the Italian after previously falling short twice last season.
With Carlos Alcaraz having withdrawn earlier due to an ankle injury, the draw has opened up significantly. Djokovic now stands as the frontrunner for a record fifth Shanghai title. As for Sinner, his focus will now shift toward recovery and preparation for the upcoming indoor season, as he looks to return to full fitness and continue his charge for the year-end ATP Finals.
