The GIST: French Open emotions, drama, and temperatures have reached new heights as the European heatwave rages on. The women’s bracket has mostly kept it cool and played out as expected, but the men’s field is suddenly wide open.
😱 World No. 1 Jannik Sinner falls in second round: The career Grand Slam will just have to wait. Sinner’s 30-match win streak ended in dramatic fashion yesterday when the tourney favorite lost in five sets to No. 56 Juan Manuel Cerúndolo, succumbing to cramps, fatigue, and dizziness in the heat.
- This is not the first time scorching temperatures limited Sinner’s game: He withdrew from a hot and humid match in Shanghai this past October and suffered severe cramps at the Australian Open in January.
👀 Who can win Roland-Garros now?: Two men have claimed the last nine Grand Slams: Sinner and No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, who’s not competing due to a wrist injury. With both out, the men’s trophy is truly anyone’s for the taking.
- Meanwhile Brazilian prodigy João Fonseca will play his dream match vs. No. 4 Novak Djokovic today at 9:30 a.m. ET. Locked in.
☝️ One more thing: In other ace-worthy news, 44-year-old Serena Williams is reportedly planning a comeback after “evolving away” from the sport in 2022. The 23-time Grand Slam champ is seeking a doubles wild card entry with No. 9 Victoria Mboko to London’s Queen’s tournament, a WTA 500-level event which begins the day after the Roland-Garros men’s final. Bring it on.