Jannik Sinner sets an unfortunate record

Jannik Sinner’s 2025 season, highlighted by strong performance and endurance, is again troubled at the Shanghai Masters.

In the 2025 season, noted for his remarkable consistency and stamina, Jannik Sinner encounters difficulties once more at the Shanghai Masters. The world No. 2 faced Tallon Griekspoor under tough playing conditions in the third round and ultimately had to retire due to exhaustion and severe cramps.

The defending champion was leading 6-7, 7-5, 3-2 after more than two and a half hours of play but could not continue, leaving the court limping and ending his title defense in the worst possible way.

Unlike Carlos Alcaraz—who skipped Shanghai after winning Tokyo—Sinner chose to compete in both Beijing and Shanghai aiming for a “double” title. However, instead of defending his crown, the 24-year-old was forced to withdraw early, joining a very rare group who have retired while defending a Masters 1000 title.

Since the ATP introduced the Masters 1000 series in 1990, only four players have retired while defending their titles. With withdrawals in Cincinnati and now Shanghai, Sinner becomes the first player in history to do this twice.

This unfortunate list began in 1999 when Greg Rusedski retired in the second round against Albert Costa after losing the first set in a tiebreak. Two years later, defending champion Marat Safin had to stop in the first round of the Canada Masters against Nicolas Escude due to a knee injury.

At the 2005 Miami Open, Andy Roddick—after winning in 2004—also retired in the second round against Fernando Verdasco while leading 7-6, 4-3 because of a wrist injury.

Nearly two decades later, Sinner extended this list. He lost the Cincinnati title to Alcaraz after a poor start and unable to cope with harsh playing conditions, retiring when trailing 0-5 in the first set.

Months later, tragedy repeated at the Shanghai Masters. Fresh from winning Beijing and considered the top contender with Alcaraz absent, Sinner won the first set against Griekspoor in a tiebreak but missed six break points in the second set, allowing his opponent to level at 7-5.

As the match entered the third set, Sinner suffered cramps and right leg problems. He lost a service game at 2-2, called for medical attention, but was unable to continue standing and had to retire.