Boris Becker attributes Jannik Sinner’s French Open exit to mental pressure
Boris Becker has suggested Jannik Sinner’s stunning French Open collapse was caused by mental pressure rather than physical problems after the world No 1 crashed out of Roland Garros in extraordinary fashion, reports BritPanorama.
Sinner arrived in Paris as the overwhelming favourite to lift the title following a dominant run, winning five consecutive tournaments and amassing a remarkable 30-match winning streak.
However, his quest for a maiden French Open crown was halted dramatically when he squandered a commanding lead against Juan Manuel Cerundolo, in a match that stands as one of the tournament’s biggest shocks in recent years.
At one stage, Sinner held a 6-3, 6-2, 5-1 advantage and was just four points away from sealing his place in the next round. Instead, the match turned on its head as Sinner’s level suddenly collapsed in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. After briefly leaving the court during the contest, he lost 18 of the following 20 games as Cerundolo completed a stunning five-set comeback.
Speaking afterwards, Sinner rejected suggestions that the heat alone was responsible for his downfall, admitting he had been struggling with illness and had effectively “hit the wall” during the match. Becker, however, believes there was more at play, stating, “For me, this can’t be physical, it has to be mental.” He emphasized the internal pressures Sinner may have faced, noting, “When you’re overthinking and nervous, it’s hard to get any sleep.”
The German tennis legend admitted he was stunned by the scale of the collapse, particularly given Sinner’s recent dominance on the ATP Tour. “This is the biggest sensation at Grand Slam tournaments in recent years,” Becker added. He pointed out that Sinner, considered unbeatable, had failed to close out the match despite serving for it twice.
Furthermore, Becker mentioned Sinner’s relentless competition schedule as a potential contributing factor. The Italian has spent months travelling across the globe while competing deep into tournaments in California, Florida, Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome. “You just have to do the maths,” Becker remarked, highlighting that even elite athletes can reach a breaking point.
The dramatic defeat has also transformed the outlook of the men’s draw. With defending champion Carlos Alcaraz already absent due to injury, Sinner’s exit means this will be the first Grand Slam since the 2023 US Open not to feature either of the sport’s two dominant young stars in the final. This development could provide a significant boost to Novak Djokovic, who is chasing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title, as Sinner’s unexpected departure has suddenly opened up a path that appeared considerably more complicated just days earlier.
In the end, Sinner’s story reminds us how finely balanced success and failure can be in the world of sport; a moment’s slip can turn triumph into a tribulation.
