Jannik Sinner’s campaign to defend his title at the Shanghai Masters 2025 came to a dramatic and heartbreaking end on Sunday evening, as the Italian was forced to retire due to severe cramping. His title defense came to an end in the deciding set of his third-round match against Tallon Griekspoor.
The match, played in punishing humidity under the lights, had been a fiercely contested battle for over two and a half hours. Griekspoor was leading 6-7(3), 7-5, 3-2 when Sinner, visibly struggling with movement and pain in his right thigh, collapsed into his bench and was assisted off the court by medical staff.
“This is definitely not the way you want to win,” said Griekspoor after the match. “Brutal conditions here in Shanghai all week already. I wish him a speedy recovery.”
Sinner, ranked No. 2 in the world, had appeared in top form after claiming the title in Beijing just last week. But signs of physical distress began to show late in the second set as he repeatedly sought relief with ice towels and was seen limping and massaging his thigh between points.
The most telling moment came during the fifth game of the final set, when Sinner could barely lift his leg to serve and was visibly in distress. At the next changeover, he remained standing with his legs elevated on the bench, trying in vain to fend off the cramps. Moments later, he made the decision to retire.
Tallon Griekspoor Makes History
Meanwhile, the victory marked a milestone for Griekspoor, who becomes the first Dutchman to reach the fourth round in Shanghai tournament history.
“The first set was high quality from both of us,” Griekspoor noted. “I got lucky at 0/40 in the second set, but that’s tennis. Sometimes it turns on just a few points.”
The 27th seed now faces Valentin Vacherot in the next round, after the Monegasque qualifier advanced earlier in the day via a retirement from Tomas Machac, who trailed 6-0, 3-1.
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Blow to Jannik Sinner in Year-End No. 1 Race
Sinner’s early exit is a significant setback in his pursuit of the ATP Year-End No. 1 ranking. He now trails Carlos Alcaraz by 2,540 points in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. Notably, Alcaraz opted out of the Shanghai event to rest following his title win in Tokyo.
This retirement also casts doubt over Sinner’s scheduled participation in the high-profile Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament in Saudi Arabia, set to begin on October 15.
