Australian Open: Sinner Advances to Round of 16 Despite Cramps

Casey Halston

Published: January 24, 2026 8:12 AM ET

Australian Open: Sinner Advances to Round of 16 Despite Cramps

Jannik Sinner battled through tough conditions to secure his spot in the Round of 16 at the Australian Open. The match was marked by extreme heat, leading organizers to implement their “extreme heat protocol” for the first time this tournament.

Melbourne’s Extreme Heat Impact

Temperatures soared near 35°C, triggering a maximum level of 5 on the Australian Open’s heat stress scale. As a result, all matches on outdoor courts were suspended for nearly five hours during the hottest part of the day.

Sinner’s Resilience

Sinner, currently ranked number two in the world, faced cramps during his match against American Eliot Spizzirri, who is ranked 85th globally. He initially experienced cramping in his legs, followed by his arms and then throughout his body.

However, once the roof of Rod Laver Arena was closed, Sinner found renewed energy, ultimately winning the match with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. He expressed determination, stating, “Sometimes, the only thing to do is fight.” Sinner is set to meet compatriot Luciano Darderi in the next round.

Italian Players Shine

Another Italian player, Lorenzo Musetti, also made headlines by defeating Czech Tomas Machac after a grueling five-set match lasting 4 hours and 27 minutes. Musetti won with scores of 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2, marking his first appearance in the Round of 16 at the Australian Open.

Musetti will face ninth-seed Taylor Fritz, who concluded the tournament for Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka, now ranked 139th and aged 40. Wawrinka exited the competition after a valiant match, ending with scores of 7-6 (7/5), 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Djokovic Advances Smoothly

Novak Djokovic, a ten-time winner at the Australian Open, also progressed to the Round of 16 by defeating Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp. Djokovic won in straight sets with scores of 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4). He faced some challenges, including a minor scare after a fall that affected his right ankle.

Despite the scare, Djokovic reported feeling “very well for the moment.” He is set to play against either Jakub Mensik or Ethan Quinn in the next round.