“A Situation I Haven’t Been in Yet,” Jannik Sinner Breaks Silence on Physical Problems During Italian Open Semifinal Against Daniil Medvedev

Jannik Sinner overcame visible discomfort, including nausea and a right thigh issue, plus a rain delay and some on-court tension with Daniil Medvedev, to advance to the 2026 Italian Open final. The world No. 1 closed out a 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 semifinal victory on Saturday after play resumed, extending his remarkable ATP Masters 1000 winning streak to 33 matches.

The match tested Sinner like few others this season. He dominated early but fought fatigue and physical problems in front of a passionate home crowd at the Foro Italico. After a restless night, he showed up ready to finish the job, highlighting the grind of high-level tennis where even the best aren’t always at 100 percent. He said in his press conference:

I struggled a bit to sleep this night. It has been a situation I haven’t been in yet, where you need to finish when you’re nearly over with the match. You sleep, you don’t know what’s coming out the next day. Yeah, I think it’s normal that not every day we feel 100%. | tried to play with the best possible energy I have. Yesterday brought me to a point where I was up today. Today I’m very happy that I finished it.

Before the semifinal, Sinner walked out with Sofia, a young oncology patient from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. Those smiles on court remind everyone that, beyond the rankings and streaks, there’s a person carrying the expectations of an entire nation. The vomiting incident scared the crowd, but his ability to push through earned respect.

Jannik Sinner was asked about the physical issues he struggled with during the match against Medvedev last night, ‘It’s normal that not every day we feel 100%. I tried to play with the best possible energy I have’

“I wanted to know if the physical problems you had last night,… pic.twitter.com/SGpEU9LoAa

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 16, 2026

Sinner’s comments revealed vulnerability: the uncertainty of sleeping on an unfinished match, the nerves of restarting. It’s a rare glimpse into the toll these marathons take, even for someone as composed as he is.

What happened in the chaotic semifinal

The semifinal unfolded in dramatic fashion on Friday night before the rain interruption. Jannik Sinner raced through the first set 6-2, looking every bit the dominant world No. 1.

But in the second set, his movement slowed. He grimaced, leaned on his racquet between points, and was even seen vomiting near the side of the court, which visibly worried the home fans.

Medvedev capitalized, taking the second set 7-5. In the decider, Sinner called for a medical timeout to address his right thigh (and reportedly knee), receiving treatment including a massage on his quads and pickle juice. Medvedev wasn’t pleased and voiced his frustration to the umpire, sparking debate about whether it was legitimate treatment or gamesmanship.

Why this victory feels significant for Jannik Sinner

Reaching the final marks Jannik Sinner’s second straight appearance in Rome’s championship match. He’s the first Italian since Nicola Pietrangeli (nearly 70 years ago) to achieve back-to-back finals here. His streak of 33 consecutive Masters wins is a record, built on titles in Paris, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, and Madrid.

At just 24, Sinner carries the weight of home expectations and his status as the clear favorite for the French Open. This wasn’t his cleanest performance, but fighting through nausea, leg issues, and Medvedev’s pressure shows mental toughness that could serve him well at Roland Garros.

At Roland Garros, he will undoubtedly have the dark clouds of last season. The Italian blew 3 championship points last season in the final against Carlos Alcaraz.

The tension with Daniil Medvedev added another layer. The Russian, known for his competitive edge, questioned the medical timeout. Commentators noted players often get treated for cramps, but the timing fueled online discussion. Sinner stayed above it, focusing on his own recovery and the task at hand.

Also Read: Jannik Sinner Leaves Paolo Maldini Impressed with His Performance at Italian Open