Sinner reveals cause of Roland Garros illness but warns it could strike again at Wimbledon
World No.1 Jannik Sinner says he and his team have identified the cause of the mid-match illness that derailed his Roland Garros campaign, but warns it may recur. The Italian advanced to Wimbledon's third round after taming Portugal's Nuno Borges in straight sets.
Sinner breaks silence on Roland Garros collapse
World No.1 Jannik Sinner has for the first time confirmed that his team now understands the cause of the illness that led to his shock second-round exit at Roland Garros. Speaking after his 7–6, 7–6, 6–4 victory over Nuno Borges at Wimbledon, the Italian admitted the condition might not be fully under control.
We understood what happened, but it could happen again because it's not something that resolves overnight. We are doing everything possible to avoid it.
Sinner refused to disclose the exact diagnosis, though one report (Open) speculated the issue may be linked to body temperature regulation. At Roland Garros he collapsed while leading Juan Manuel Cerundolo by two sets and 5–1 in the third. He subsequently underwent tests in Milan and skipped the entire grass-court build-up.
A fall, a recovery and a return to court
The Italian also addressed the after-effects of a heavy fall during his first-round win over Miomir Kecmanovic. The spill left him with a bloodied toenail and general soreness. “Yesterday I woke up and my body didn’t feel great. But it was because of the fall. Then today on court I felt good, so I can be calm,” he said.
If it were to happen again we will understand that perhaps it’s not the right path.
Despite the physical concerns, Sinner was clinical against Borges, saving all three break points and dominating the two tie‑breaks. He said he still needs to rediscover his best form, especially on grass.
Fine-tuning the grass game
Sinner was candid about the technical areas he wants to sharpen. “I need to be more aggressive, move better on this surface, and return deeper, especially against second serves,” he said. The numbers bear him out: his first-serve percentage stood at 67 per cent, well below the 74 per cent posted by Borges.
- Sinner
- 67 %
- Borges
- 74 %
He described the match as “one of those where you don’t have much control” and welcomed the test. “These tough matches help me find my rhythm,” he added. He is set to face American Jenson Brooksby in the third round.
Heat looms for the second week
With forecasts pointing to rising temperatures in the second week of Wimbledon, Sinner was asked whether the heat could trigger a repeat of the Paris episode. He deflected, saying, “We’ll see, there’s still a long time until the second week.”
- First round
- 24 °C
- Second round
- 26 °C
Sinner’s camp has already taken precautionary steps. During practice at the All England Club he has been spotted wearing a cooling vest designed to absorb excess body heat, hinting at the nature of the problem he and his medical team are managing. For now, the champion is taking it one match at a time, hopeful that the solutions they’ve put in place will hold.
