Aryna Sabalenka sympathizes with Jannik Sinner after ‘painful’ Roland Garros loss

The French Open underwent a seismic shift on Thursday when World No. 1 Jannik Sinner was upset in the second round by Argentine Juan Manuel Cerundolo. The top-ranked player on the men’s side was cruising through the first two sets and most of the third before cramping and heat-related sickness set in under the hot Paris sun.

In the end, Sinner was severely hampered during the back half of a 3-6, 2-6, 5-7, 1-6, 1-6 loss to Cerundolo, sending shockwaves around Roland Garros.

Aryna Sabalenka, the top-ranked player on the women’s side, sent her sympathies to Sinner for his brutal loss that ends his quest for a first French Open title.

Aryna Sabalenka on Jannik Sinner:

“I always cheer for him, and to see him struggle like that was really painful to see, I was rooting til the very last moment. I was hoping for him to win, sad but I’m pretty sure he’s gonna come back even stronger.”

pic.twitter.com/O5IEkgOI81

— janniksin archive (@sinnervideos) May 28, 2026

“I always cheer for Jannik, and to see him struggle like that was really painful to see. I was rooting til the very last moment,” Sabalenka said. “I was hoping for him to win. … I was just worried that he’s not gonna close the match. Sad but I’m pretty sure he’s gonna come back even stronger. Time to do some recovery, some rest and be ready for grass courts.”

Sinner came into the tournament as a heavy favorite to lift the trophy with World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz sidelined with a wrist injury. The four-time major champion was gunning for the Career Grand Slam in Paris, a quest that will now have to wait until the summer of 2027.

Now, Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic sit as slight favorites in a wide-open draw that can go in any direction on the men’s side.

Sabalenka didn’t have the same troubles with her second-round match on Thursday, as the four-time major champion comfortably took down Frenchwoman Elsa Jacquemot 7-5, 6-2 to advance to the Round of 32. Sabalenka is hunting for her first title at Roland Garros after losing to Coco Gauff in the final a year ago and awaits experienced Australian Daria Kasatkina in the third round.

Sinner, who came into this match on a 30-match winning streak, will now have a few weeks off before he gets ready to defend his title at Wimbledon in late June.

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