Shanghai
Sinner retires due to cramp from Griekspoor clash in Shanghai
Limping Italian given assistance to walk off court in China
October 05, 2025
Hu Chengwei/Getty Images
Jannik Sinner retires from his third-round match against Tallon Griekspoor in Shanghai.
By ATP Staff
Jannik Sinner’s title defence at the Rolex Shanghai Masters came to an end in cruel circumstances on Sunday evening, when the Italian was forced to retire during the deciding set of his third-round clash with Tallon Griekspoor.
Griekspoor led Sinner 6-7(3), 7-5, 3-2 when the No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings was forced to stop in brutally humid conditions in Shanghai. The Italian appeared to be struggling with cramp in his right thigh.
Griekspoor advances 6-7(3), 7-5, *3-2 as Sinner is forced to retire during the third set in Shanghai…@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/ikJUzmts3X
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 5, 2025
Sinner’s physical struggles appeared to begin late in the second set, and he rushed to place ice towels around his neck at the changeover before the start of the third. In the decider, the Italian was limping between points and frequently massaged his right thigh. At the 2-1 changeover, he didn’t sit and instead put his legs up on his bench to try and ward off cramp.
“This is definitely not the way you want to win,” said Griekspoor. “Brutal conditions here in Shanghai all week already. I thought we were a little bit lucky to play in the evening without sun, but two hours and 36 minutes on the clock, middle of the third set… I’m sorry for him, I wish him a speedy recovery.”
Sinner’s physical struggles were exacerbated by the gruelling nature of his clash with Griekspoor. The Dutchman had appeared on the brink of defeat when he slipped to 3-4, 0/40 on serve in the second set, but he rallied to clinch the second set and force a decider.
“The first set was high quality from both, very dominant in the service games,” said the No. 31 in the PIF ATP Rankings Griekspoor. “I thought he played an unbelievable tie-break: He hit a couple of lines, served really well. I got a bit lucky at 3-4 in the second, where I saved 0/40 and served my way out of it. Sometimes you need a little bit of luck to win these matches.”
The first Dutchman to reach the fourth round in Shanghai tournament history, Griekspoor will take on Valentin Vacherot next in China, after the qualifier also advanced via a retirement. Vacherot led Tomas Machac 6-0, 3-1 when the 20th seed was forced to stop.
Sinner’s third-round exit in Shanghai is a major blow for the Italian’s bid to haul in Carlos Alcaraz in the battle for ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honours. The Italian trails his rival by 2,540 points in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, which acts as a barometer for the Year-End No. 1 battle.
