Jannik Sinner's 2025 season, marked by brilliance and resilience, took another frustrating twist at the Shanghai Masters. World no. 2 faced Tallon Griekspoor in challenging conditions in the third round, and his body cracked under pressure.
The defending champion trailed 6-7, 7-5, 3-2 after over two and a half hours before ending his campaign in the worst way, retiring and leaving the court limping after struggling with severe cramps and fatigue.
Unlike Carlos Alcaraz, who skipped Shanghai after winning Tokyo, Jannik chased Beijing-Shanghai double. Instead of seeking the title defense, the 24-year-old called it a day earlier and joined a very exclusive and unwanted list in Masters 1000 history.
💔 Jannik Sinner forced to retire in Shanghai.
As fans, these images are incredibly hard to watch — he gave everything until his body couldn’t take it anymore. End of the Asian swing.
No one cares about the points or the title not defended — just wishing you a full recovery,… pic.twitter.com/DGgfpMmE8H
— The Sinner Times (@sinnertimes) October 5, 2025
Since the introduction of the premium ATP series in 1990, only four players had ever retired while attempting to win back-to-back titles. With his retirements in Cincinnati and Shanghai, Jannik became the first player to do it twice!
It all started in 1999 when Greg Rusedski retired against Albert Costa in the second round after dropping a tight opener in the tie break, ending his title defense dreams.
Two years later, the reigning champion Marat Safin faced Nicolas Escude in the first round of the Canada Masters in Montreal. Struggling with a knee injury, the Russian retired after getting broken two times in the second set.
Escude led 6-4, 5-2 when the mercurial Russian ended his campaign, leaving the court booed by the crowd. The home favorite Andy Roddick wished for another great run at the 2005 Miami Open after lifting a trophy a year earlier.
Jannik Sinner, Shanghai Masters 2025© Stream screenshot
However, the American experienced a setback against Fernando Verdasco in the second round, trailing 7-6, 4-3 and retiring due to wrist problems. Two decades later, Jannik Sinner embraced two heartbreaking retirements.
He lost the Cincinnati crown to Carlos Alcaraz after a terrible start, struggling physically in difficult conditions and terminating his resistance after trailing 5-0 in the opening set.
A few months later, the 24-year-old mirrored that setback in Shanghai. The Italian wished for another deep run a couple of days after conquering Beijing, returning to Shanghai as the top favorite in the absence of Carlos Alcaraz.
However, last year's winner failed to pass the second obstacle. He won the opener against Tallon Griekspoor in the tie break and missed his chances in the second set, squandering six break points in two games.
Jannik Sinner, Shanghai Masters 2025© Stream screenshot
Griekspoor stole the set 7-5 with a late break and forced his rival to spend more time on the court. Sinner's body faltered following severe cramps and right leg issues.
He held two times before suffering a break at love at 2-2. He called for a medical timeout and retired after barely standing on his troubled leg. The Italian's setback is a reminder that even the sport's fittest and most disciplined players occasionally face limits beyond their control.
His retirements in Cincinnati and Shanghai underscore the brutal intensity of the modern game, where players push their bodies to the brink in pursuit of glory, especially repeated one!
