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 underneath 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 means, retiring and leaving the courtroom limping after combating extreme cramps and fatigue.
In contrast to Carlos Alcaraz, who skipped Shanghai after successful Tokyo, Jannik chased Beijing-Shanghai double. As an alternative of searching for the title protection, the 24-year-old referred to as it a day earlier and joined a really unique and undesirable listing in Masters 1000 historical past.
💔 Jannik Sinner pressured to retire in Shanghai.
As followers, these pictures are extremely exhausting to observe — he gave every thing 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 sequence in 1990, solely 4 gamers had ever retired whereas making an attempt to win back-to-back titles. Along 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 towards Albert Costa within the second spherical after dropping a decent opener within the tie break, ending his title protection desires.
Two years later, the reigning champion Marat Safin confronted Nicolas Escude within the first spherical of the Canada Masters in Montreal. Combating a knee damage, 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 courtroom booed by the gang. The house favourite Andy Roddick wished for one more nice run on the 2005 Miami Open after lifting a trophy a yr earlier.
Jannik Sinner, Shanghai Masters 2025© Stream screenshot
Nonetheless, the American skilled a setback towards Fernando Verdasco within the second spherical, trailing 7-6, 4-3 and retiring because of wrist issues. Twenty years later, Jannik Sinner embraced two heartbreaking retirements.
He misplaced the Cincinnati crown to Carlos Alcaraz after a horrible begin, struggling bodily in troublesome circumstances and terminating his resistance after trailing 5-0 within the opening set.
Just a few months later, the 24-year-old mirrored that setback in Shanghai. The Italian wished for one more deep run a few days after conquering Beijing, returning to Shanghai as the highest favourite within the absence of Carlos Alcaraz.
Nonetheless, final yr's winner did not go the second impediment. He received the opener towards Tallon Griekspoor within the tie break and missed his probabilities 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 courtroom. 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 referred to 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 fashionable recreation, the place gamers push their our bodies to the brink in pursuit of glory, particularly repeated one!
