Jannik Sinner was the subject of a shock defeat just last week, as he fell to the wildly unpredictable Andrey Rublev in just the quarter-finals of the Canadian Open.
It was a tournament that many would have predicted the 22-year-old to win with ease given the lack of competition within it, not to mention he had been handed ample time to prepare for the hard courts after missing the Olympics through illness.
But, it seems that he still cannot shake his physical issues, and having been beaten by Daniil Medvedev at Wimbledon whilst suffering from a stomach bug, this campaign has swiftly been derailed by matters outside of his control.
The hope is that he can recapture his form and fitness again soon, potentially in time to challenge for the US Open.
Jannik Sinner forced to play twice in one day in Canada
Given the fitness update that Jannik Sinner provided, it feels like the Italian was barely ready to return to action in Canada at all, let alone be put under the physical scrutiny he was eventually subjected to.
After all, with delays scuppering the scheduling, his clash with Rublev came just after he had defeated Alejandro Tabilo in the Round of 16.
Many players would have taken this as an opportunity to lambast the organisers and complain about the manner of their exit.
Not Jannik Sinner, however, who instead remained magnanimous in his assessment of the match, sympathising with the tournament and even seeing things from a fan perspective.
He told reporters: ‘No, when there is no other possibility, you have to go two. It is for everyone. I think it’s also nice for spectators in one way, because they see the players twice. No, it’s okay.’
Jannik Sinner loses ground in world number-one battle
Having won this event last season, beating Alex de Minaur in the final, all 1000 ranking points helped contribute to his rapid rise up the rankings as 2023 came to a close.
It seems like his ascension to the world number one spot was built on the foundations of his performances during and following his semi-final at Wimbledon, losing to Novak Djokovic, but lighting a fire underneath him.
It certainly helped that he would win the Australian Open too, his maiden Grand Slam title, having since extended a healthy lead between himself and the chasing pack.
But, failing to win in Montreal opens up an opportunity for further ground to be made, with Carlos Alcaraz his closest competitor.
He lost in the final of the imminent Masters 1000 event last season, but with Djokovic dropping out of Cincinnati, could go all the way this year.
Then, these two will be hot favourites for the US Open as well.
Although Sinner might have it tied down for now, this number-one spot is set to swap between this legendary duo for many years now.
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