Jannik Sinner has defeated Alexander Zverev to retain his Australian Open title on Sunday.
With this victory, the 23-year-old Italian became the first from his country to win three Grand Slam titles, surpassing Nicola Pietrangeli’s record.
Sinner defeated Zverev 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 in a thrilling contest on Rod Laver Arena. His triumph placed him among tennis legends Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic as one of the few players to defend their Australian Open title in this century.
“It’s an amazing feeling to share this moment with all of you,” Sinner said, expressing gratitude to his coaching team.
The win extended Sinner’s unbeaten streak to 21 matches and marked his 19th career title. However, he continues to face scrutiny over a doping case after testing positive for traces of the steroid clostebol last year. Despite being cleared, the World Anti-Doping Agency has appealed the decision, with a court hearing set for April.
Zverev, who is still chasing his first Grand Slam title, praised Sinner’s performance, saying, “You’re the best player in the world by far. I was hoping to be more competitive, but you’re just too good.”
Sinner started strong, breaking Zverev in the first set and keeping the pressure on throughout the match. Despite Zverev’s efforts, the German couldn’t overcome the relentless pace and precision of the Italian.
The victory further cemented Sinner’s place at the top of men’s tennis, as he continues to deliver remarkable performances on the global stage.
