Jannik Sinner showcased exceptional form to defeat Alexander Zverev and retain his Australian Open title, securing his place as one of the most dominant figures in men’s tennis. The 23-year-old Italian triumphed with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 victory, celebrating his remarkable achievement by raising his arms in triumph on the iconic Rod Laver Arena.
By winning his third Grand Slam, Sinner made history, becoming the first Italian in tennis history—male or female—to secure three Grand Slam titles, surpassing Nicola Pietrangeli’s record. His triumph also positioned him among tennis legends like Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic as one of the few men to successfully defend their Melbourne Park titles in the 21st century.
Sinner reflected on his win, saying he approached the match with intensity despite his composed demeanor. “In your mind there is only one match left, and you want to give it your all,” he shared. “It feels different to win this title again. The work I’ve put in to get here makes it all the more special.”
The win, however, deepened the frustration for Zverev, who has yet to capture a Grand Slam title despite being one of the top players in the sport. “It sucks standing here next to the trophy and not being able to touch it,” he admitted. “But Jannik, you deserve this. You’re the best player in the world by far. I couldn’t compete with you today.”
Sinner, who is facing a doping case over traces of clostebol found in his system last year, kept his focus on the match despite the controversy hanging over him. The World Anti-Doping Agency has appealed his exoneration and is seeking a ban, but the Italian denies any intentional doping. The case will be heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in April.
Despite the distraction of the doping case, Sinner pushed forward, extending his incredible winning streak to 21 matches and claiming his 19th career title. He offered kind words to Zverev, saying, “You’re an amazing player, both on and off the court. Keep believing in yourself because you’ll get there soon.”
Last year, Sinner needed five sets to defeat Daniil Medvedev for his first Grand Slam victory, but this time, he looked poised and dominant from the start. He opened with a powerful ace and continued to assert his control, with Zverev struggling to match his level of play.
The Italian’s relentless pressure paid off in the opening set, with Sinner breaking Zverev’s serve at 5-3 to take the set in 46 minutes. The second set was more competitive, but Sinner’s impressive resilience and ability to turn recovery shots into momentum-shifting winners gave him the upper hand. Despite Zverev’s efforts, Sinner clinched the second set in a tiebreak, benefiting from a lucky net cord that gave him the decisive break.
Zverev, clearly frustrated, couldn’t rebound in the third set. Sinner’s break for 4-2 put the German on the back foot, and the match was effectively sealed as Zverev’s form faltered. With this commanding victory, Sinner once again proved why he is one of the sport’s most formidable players.
