Boris Becker analyzes Jannik Sinner’s surprising defeat in Paris.

The unexpected elimination of Jannik Sinner at the 2026 Roland Garros has shaken the tennis world and left experts questioning what really happened to the young Italian prodigy. Boris Becker, the legendary former German tennis player, did not hesitate to label the defeat as the biggest surprise in recent years in Grand Slam tournaments, emphasizing that Sinner was considered invincible, especially after his impressive victories in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome.

Becker did not hold back in his criticism while analyzing the outcome of the match and put forward a strong theory regarding the reasons that led Sinner to falter at such a crucial stage of the tournament. “This is his big problem. Especially when Grand Slam matches extend into the third set or when the tension increases, he often faces physical difficulties, perhaps even mental ones. Earlier this week, I was asked who would be Sinner’s biggest adversary in Paris. My answer was: time. And that became evident again,” the former champion revealed to Eurosport.

The German highlighted that accumulated fatigue may have been decisive for the Italian’s decline: “Jannik has been constantly traveling since the beginning of March. He played in California, Florida, Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome, and continued to win. The guy simply felt exhausted. He is human and had a bad day. I don’t know if it was the heat. He played for two hours and suddenly started showing signs of cramps. I find it hard to believe this; in my opinion, the blame is entirely on him. I liked that he didn’t look for excuses and simply said, ‘It was my fault.’ He was completely worn out. It can happen to anyone.”

Becker also emphasized that in the previous weeks, Sinner seemed to be playing as if he came from another planet, always focused and ready to face adversities, but that this match was simply “too much.” When questioned about the reasons for this drop in performance, the former tennis player dismissed a physical problem and pointed to mental issues: “It can’t be a physical problem; it has to be mental. We don’t know what’s going on inside him. How much pressure is he putting on himself? He said he couldn’t sleep well. When you think too much and are nervous, it’s hard to sleep.”

This analysis by Boris Becker sheds light on the immense pressure faced by emerging stars in the world of tennis and delivers a clear warning: even the brightest have their limits. With Jannik Sinner’s early exit and Carlos Alcaraz’s absence due to injury, the path is clear for a new star to claim the title at the French Grand Slam, promising an unpredictable and thrilling Roland Garros right up to the last point.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.