Jannik Sinner Injury Update: Get the latest on World No. 2's condition after Shanghai retirement

Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner has suffered an untimely setback after being forced to retire mid-match at the Shanghai Masters, ending his title defense prematurely. The 24-year-old, who entered the tournament as the defending champion and world No. 2, was struck by severe cramps during his third-round clash against Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, leaving fans and analysts concerned about his fitness ahead of a packed end-of-season schedule.

Jannik Sinner’s Shanghai defense ends in painful exit

Sinner came into the Shanghai Masters riding high on confidence following his Beijing triumph, but the grueling conditions in Shanghai proved too much. During his third-round match against Griekspoor, the Italian visibly struggled with movement and was unable to continue midway through the deciding set. Despite attempting to seek help from the ATP physiotherapist, Sinner ultimately could not walk properly and was forced to concede.

The scene was difficult to watch for fans, as Jannik Sinner, known for his resilience and composure, shook hands with Griekspoor after realizing he could no longer push through the physical distress. His retirement marked an abrupt end to what was expected to be another deep run in China.

Impact on rankings and race to year-end no. 1

The Shanghai withdrawal could have major implications for Sinner’s ATP ranking and his pursuit of the year-end No. 1 spot. By failing to defend his title points, Sinner is expected to lose a significant number of ranking points, further widening the gap between himself and Carlos Alcaraz, who has strengthened his position at the top.

With only a few major tournaments left in the season, including the Vienna ATP 500, Paris Masters, and the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, Jannik Sinner’s path back to the summit has become considerably more difficult. His participation in the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna also remains uncertain, depending on his recovery timeline.

Return plans and upcoming schedule

Following his retirement, Sinner immediately returned to Monte Carlo to undergo evaluation and begin recovery. The Italian is expected to make his comeback at the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Saudi Arabia, scheduled from October 15 to 18. The tournament, offering an astounding $6 million prize pool, will feature some of the biggest names in tennis.

Jannik Sinner won the previous edition of the Six Kings Slam, defeating Alcaraz in the final — a result that added to their fast-growing rivalry. His camp has not issued any official medical statement yet, but the early signs suggest the issue was related to physical exhaustion rather than a long-term injury.

Analyst Reaction: ‘Conditions were brutal’

French tennis analyst Benoit Maylin shed light on Sinner’s Shanghai retirement, praising Griekspoor’s performance while acknowledging the extreme playing environment.