‘Players Would’ve Walked Off’ – Jannik Sinner’s ‘Respect’ Draws Kim Clijsters’ Attention After Paris Debacle

The 2026 French Open saw one of the most stunning upsets in tennis history when world No. 1 Jannik Sinner physically collapsed to a defeat. The Italian entered Roland Garros on an unstoppable 30-match win streak after sweeping the clay-court Masters titles in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome. But even after leading Juan Manuel Cerúndolo 6-3, 6-2, and 5-1 and being just two games away from a routine straight-sets victory, he suffered a physical breakdown in the second round.

He began cramping severely and lost all his energy, while Cerúndolo stormed back to take the third set 7-5, knocking out the 24-year-old 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1. That dramatic exit left fans and pundits confused, but one decision Sinner made earned a shoutout from former pro Kim Clijsters.

Kim Clijsters Defends Jannik Sinner’s Decision to Fight On Despite French Open Physical Collapse

Tennis commentators Blair Henley and former world No. 1 Clijsters recently dissected Sinner’s collapse on the “Love All” podcast. “What was most perplexing to me is that he was this close to the finish line. That’s what made me feel like there’s perhaps an anxiety factor here,” Henley noted.

Clijsters agreed that the scenes on Court Philippe-Chatrier were confusing. “I think the anxiety factor is definitely something that was on top of it, and then everything just completely blocked,” Clijsters said.

However, the four-time Grand Slam champion shifted the focus to the character Sinner showed by simply staying on the court. When the third set slipped away, it was painfully obvious that Sinner wouldn’t be able to come back. Also, in the Parisian heat, the logical move would have been to retire.

“I do have to say, for him to finish the match and play it out, not just hand over the win or stop the match, shows the respect he has. Let me tell you, 99 out of 100 other players would have walked off after they lost that set.”

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By choosing to endure the final two sets, Sinner actually gave Cerundolo a hard-earned victory celebration. “The fact that he stayed on court shows the respect he had for his opponent, but also for the venue and where he was at,” Clijsters added.

After the match, Sinner revealed he had slept poorly the night before and had felt unwell the morning of, and that his body simply “had no energy.” The defeat, however, opened the draw wide, and Alexander Zverev ultimately won his long-awaited first Grand Slam. Now, Sinner will be back for the grass-court season, starting with Wimbledon by late June, as the defending champion.