'Surprise' as struggling Jannik Sinner taken off court for treatment during Australian Open match against Holger Rune

React to this story

Jannik Sinner was taken off court for a lengthy medical timeout as he struggled with injury during his last-16 match at the Australian Open. The world No. 1 and defending champion took 11 minutes at 3-2 up in the third set on Rod Laver Arena, where he was level at one-set-all against the 13th seed Holger Rune. Sinner re-emerged from the locker room refocused, and he won the fourth set 6-3.

Watch alarming moment Sinner taken off court for treatment in 'surprise' move

Video credit: TNT Sports

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner was in real discomfort during his last-16 match at the Australian Open.

Sinner, the defending champion, called for a medical timeout in his match against Holger Rune on Rod Laver Arena, with the score level at one-set-all, and on-serve in the third set, with the Italian 3-2 up.

The Italian called on the physio and the doctor, who gave him a quick assessment before, to everyone’s surprise, Sinner got up, and began to walk with them back towards the locker room.

US Open Mixed Doubles -

Djokovic to partner Sabalenka in US Open mixed doubles, but Alcaraz, Sinner among absentees

28/07/2026 at 18:01

Players do not usually need to leave the court for a medical timeout unless it is between sets, or if they are nursing a really bad injury.

The shock around Sinner leaving the court was that it appeared that the physio and doctor had hardly assessed him or given any inclination into what the problem was, instead whisking him quickly inside after the Italian had received a bottle from his box.

Eurosport commentators Naomi Cavaday and Arvind Parmar were trying to decipher why Sinner was leaving the court.

Alarm as Sinner 'struggling' as he drops second set amidst physical issues

Video credit: TNT Sports

"He is heading off the court for some treatment, probably in an air-conditioned room, I’d imagine," Cavaday noted.

"I’m a little surprised he’s actually leaving the court because it didn’t look as though the physio had much of a go on anything," Parmar added.
"It’s more the doctor there. So, what needs to be done off-court? That’s interesting."

"Normally, you’d go off-court if it’s some sort of groin injury," Cavaday remarked.

"Yeah, a sensitive area," Parmar agreed.

The commentators suggested that Rune may well have felt it slightly unfair for Sinner to take what turned out to be an 11-minute timeout, especially considering the Dane, the 13th seed in Melbourne, had the momentum in his favour having taken the second set and threatened to break in the game just gone.

And just like that, the pendulum swung back towards Sinner when he re-emerged onto Rod Laver Arena, recomposed as he broke Rune three games after the timeout before serving out the third set to eke his nose back in front.

'Absolutely ridiculous' point has Sinner and Rune bent over with exhaustion

Video credit: TNT Sports

Sinner won out in the end, despite another stunning delay to the match where the Italian broke the net with a serve, coming through 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-2.

"It was very, very tough," the defending champion said afterwards.

"I knew in my mind that he had also had some very long matches before this. I tried to stay there mentally. I just tried to stay connected with my service game and return game, and see what happened. Today, the support meant so much to me. I really needed [the crowd] today. It’s 90% yours, and 10% mine.

"Today, this morning was a strange morning, because I didn’t even warm up today. I was trying to go on court as fit as I could be. I knew in my mind before the match that I would struggle today. Game-wise, I played well, I served very well. There were quality shots that gave me the confidence to fight on, and of course, the time off the court, the doctor and I talked a little bit.

"It helped me today, and shows this tournament has great organisation. It’s a great tournament. They take great care of the players, and we’re all happy to be here to compete. These kinds of matches, we try to bring out our best."

Sinner finally ran out the winner, coming through 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-2 to book himself into the last eight, where he'll face either Alex Michelsen or Alex de Minaur.

"It was very, very tough," the defending champion said afterwards.

'A bit brutal, he came back firing'

Rune reacted to the lengthy changeover in his post-match press conference, believing that Sinner getting checked was "fair", but claimed that it was "not the worst timing" on the Italian's side, with the match momentum with the Dane at that point in time.

However, Sinner emerged from the locker room rejuvenated, taking the third set 6-3.

"It's fair that he got checked," Rune said.

"I think it took longer than I expected. It was around ten minutes, maybe even more. So that was a bit brutal in the middle of the set. I just couldn't move on. I had good momentum in that moment. It was not the worst timing from his side.

"No [I didn't get an explanation about why it took so long]. They checked him on the court, and the umpire said he needed a further check, more checks, to make sure he was alright. Then he came back firing, so I don't know what they did."

Stream the 2025 Australian Open live and on-demand on discovery+

Montreal Men's Singles -