The men's draw at Roland Garros just got a whole lot more unpredictable. Jannik Sinner, the overwhelming favorite to win the 2026 French Open, exited the tournament in the second round after his body gave out in the Paris heat. The world No. 1 was cruising to a straight-sets victory over Juan Manuel Cerundolo before the conditions got the best of him.

Sinner fought through the first two sets, winning 6-3, 6-2, but then his energy plummeted. He lost the next three sets 5-7, 1-6, 1-6, and afterward described the experience as hitting a wall. “I didn’t feel very well on court. I struggled, starting to feel very dizzy, very low on energy. … In the beginning, I was hitting very clean, very good, and then I just kind of hit the wall,” Sinner said. “I didn’t have energy, really. I was very, very flat. The whole body. I don’t remember last time I felt this weak.”

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This is the second major collapse due to heat at this year's tournament, following jakub mensik's collapse in a five-set thriller. The record-breaking temperatures have been a major talking point, as detailed in our coverage of record heat scorching roland garros.

The New Favorite: Alexander Zverev

With Sinner out, oddsmakers have installed Alexander Zverev as the favorite at +185. The German has been a model of consistency on clay and reached the final at Roland Garros in 2024. However, Zverev has never won a Grand Slam title, and the pressure will be immense. His path to the final could include a semifinal showdown with Novak Djokovic, who sits at +370 odds.

The Djokovic Factor

Novak Djokovic, chasing his 25th major title, is the second favorite. While some argue he should be the top pick, his form this season has been uneven. If Djokovic and Zverev meet in the semis, the winner would be the heavy favorite in the final. But that also means the other half of the draw could produce a surprise finalist, like Ben Shelton or Francisco Cerundolo.

A First-Time Champion?

The departure of Sinner opens the door for a first-time Grand Slam winner. With Zverev, Djokovic, and a host of younger players like Shelton and Cerundolo, the odds of a new name on the trophy are high. The men's draw is wide open, and the next week promises plenty of drama under the Paris sun.