French Open 2025: Arthur Rinderknech highlights reel includes no-look shot and underarm serve fail in loss to Jannik Sinner

Arthur Rinderknech took the chance of playing on Court Philippe-Chatrier at his home Grand Slam with both hands, as he produced some entertaining tennis in his loss to world No. 1 Jannie Sinner at the French Open on Monday. When he was good, he was very good. But when he was bad, well, it was awful. Watch and stream the 2025 French Open live on TNT Sports and discovery+

Jannik Sinner had a fairly comfortable passage into round two of the French Open, but his opponent in the first round, Arthur Rinderknech, produced his own highlights reel in defeat.

Sinner, the world No. 1, opened his Roland-Garros challenge with a 6-4 6-3 7-5 win, but it was not all smooth sailing as Rinderknech stepped out on Court Philippe-Chatrier to entertain his home fans.

There were some big shots from the Frenchman, particularly on his forehand, but there was subtlety on show as well - including a no-look shot in the second set.

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Sliding in to reach a Sinner drop shot, Rinderknech fixed his eyes cross-court but dinked the ball down the line to totally deceive the world No. 1.

"He loved that one," was the call from the commentary box, as the Parisians rose to their feet in celebration.

‘That was naughty’ - Rinderknech pulls off no-look shot against Sinner at French Open

Video credit: TNT Sports

But for the good, there was also some bad.

Arguably the worst of the lot was an underarm serve in the second set. Some would say the time to try one was when 40-0 to the good, but it did even get halfway up the net.

"Sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t," Nick Mullins said on TNT Sports commentary. "But if you don’t give it a go, you never know."

The third set saw Rinderknech produce a strong passage of play, notably winning a stunning rally in the second game which helped him secure a break of serve.

He was defending like his life depended on it, and the reward was seeing Sinner send the ball long.

"What a rally, it contained most things including Sinner in two minds," said Mullins.

'No right to win that point!' - Rinderknech takes outrageous rally, shakes Dembele's hand

Video credit: TNT Sports

Sinner went on to win the contest as he rallied from 4-0 down in the third set to close out the match, but Rinderknech had his moment in the spotlight and the French crowd loved him for it.

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Watch and stream the 2025 French Open live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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