"Hardest most brutal sport in the world" - Tennis world, including Denis Shapovalov, reacts to Jannik Sinner's French Open 2023 loss to Altmaier

Jannik Sinner’s shocking upset at the hands of Daniel Altmaier in the second round of the 2023 French Open has made many in the tennis world highlight the grueling nature of the sport.

Sinner and Altmaier had clashed once before, in the opening round of last year’s US Open, where Sinner came out on top after a hard-fought five setter. Their latest encounter in Paris was reminiscent of their match in New York, as it similarly went the distance.

However, it was Altmaier who came out on top this time around. After a high-octane battle on Court Suzanne Lenglen that lasted five hours and 26 minutes, the German sealed a 6-7 (0), 7-6 (7), 1-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5 win.

The match is the longest one contested at this year’s tournament so far. Jannik Sinner failed to convert two match points in the fourth set, as he served for the match. After forcing a decider, Daniel Altmaier made the first move by snatching a break in the seventh game of the fifth set for a 4-3 lead.

But the 24-year-old was unable to ease past a tenacious Sinner, who denied Altmaier the win when he first served for the match. The Italian leveled the final set score at 5-5 with a series of potent returns.

However, he was broken again in the very next game. Daniel Altmaier eventually ended the match with a service hold, but not without his 21-year-old opponent denying him four match points.

Altmaier, ranked 79th in the ATP rankings, burst into tears as he celebrated his hard-earned victory.

Many in the tennis world, including Denis Shapovalov, Mark Petchey, Rennae Stubbs and Patrick McEnroe, were left amazed by the epic contest, and they shared their feelings about it.

“Honestly no other sport like tennis. 5 and a half hours of unreal fighting,” Denis Shapovalov wrote.

“Hardest most brutal sport in the world,” commentator and former player Mark Petchey tweeted.

Here are a few more reactions from the tennis world:

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"It is a tough one to swallow" – Jannik Sinner after defeat to Daniel Altmaier at French Open 2023

Jannik Sinner during his second round match at the 2023 French Open

The 2023 French Open second round loss is Jannik Sinner’s fourth consecutive Grand Slam exit on the back of a five-set contest. The Italian lost in five sets to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon 2022 quarterfinals, Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open 2022 quarterfinals, and Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open 2023 fourth round.

Sinner, who has otherwise had a successful season, confessed after the match that the loss to Daniel Altmaier was a bitter pill to swallow.

"I feel like the season is going good. I played a lot of matches. But for sure the last two tournaments were not that what I was expecting," Sinner said in his press-conference. "It is a tough one to swallow."

Sinner has been knocking on the door at big events for a while now, but has failed to lift a significant title thus far in his young career. He admitted that he put “too much” pressure on himself in Paris.

“I knew it was a tough last two tournaments. I put myself maybe a little bit too much expectations or pressure, call it however you want, and, you know, it's part of the game,” he said.

Despite the unfortunate loss, the player maintained an optimistic approach.

“But, you know, I keep going,” Sinner said. “This is the sport. I will for sure come back stronger.”

After defeating Jannik Sinner, Daniel Altmaier will now face former World No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov for a spot in the fourth round of the French Open.