Exhausted and riddled with cramps, Sinner withdraws in Shanghai and sees the No. 1 spot slip away

The images sent a chill through the Shanghai crowd. Exhausted, Jannik Sinner was unable to finish a grueling duel against Tallon Griekspoor. The Italian, plagued by cramps, suffers a major setback in the race for the throne against Carlos Alcaraz.

Images that leave one speechless in Shanghai. Pushed to the limit by Tallon Griekspoor and engaged in a battle lasting over two and a half hours, Jannik Sinner threw in the towel, riddled with cramps (6-7, 7-5, 3-2).

With stifling heat and high humidity on the Shanghai court, the players' bodies were put to the test, and this marked the third withdrawal of the day in eight matches.

Despite having opportunities to lead 7-6, 5-3, Sinner then fell under Griekspoor's dominance, who managed to snatch a third set and, under extraordinary circumstances, secure the biggest victory of his career.

Barely able to walk and despite the physio's intervention, the world No. 2 thus loses his title in Shanghai and will suffer losses in the battle with Alcaraz for the No. 1 ranking. This also marks his sixth defeat of the season and his second consecutive withdrawal in Masters 1000 events after Cincinnati.

The Spaniard, who won the title in Tokyo and is absent from this tournament, is pulling away in the Race and is likely to finish the year at the top of the ATP rankings.