Sinner Wins Two Consecutive Titles, Zverev’s Grand Slam Wait Continues

Italian tennis sensation Jannik Sinner made history on Sunday by winning the Australian Open title, defeating Germany’s Alexander Zverev in a hard-fought final in Melbourne. With his 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3 victory, Sinner not only claimed his third Grand Slam title but also became the first Italian player to achieve such a feat. The match, which lasted two hours and 42 minutes, saw Sinner dominating in every aspect, particularly in his ability to defend his title, which he won the previous year.

Sinner’s triumph was marked by his remarkable ability to handle pressure, as he never faced a single break point throughout the match. Despite some excellent moments from Zverev, who came close to winning the second set, Sinner maintained his focus and composure. Zverev, who had been hoping to break his Grand Slam final drought, fell short yet again. This defeat leaves him at 0-3 in Grand Slam finals, continuing his wait for a major title. The world number two remains on the verge of becoming the fifth German player to win a Grand Slam, but for now, that dream remains elusive.

Sinner’s victory further cemented his status as a rising star in the tennis world. He is currently on an impressive 21-match winning streak at hard-court Grand Slams, having won both the Australian Open and US Open in 2024. According to the ATP’s official website, Sinner is only the fifth player in the Open Era to win three consecutive Grand Slam titles, joining the ranks of legends like Novak Djokovic, who achieved this feat in 2015-16.

In the final, Sinner’s performance was exceptional, particularly behind his first serve, winning an astonishing 85 percent of the points after his initial delivery. He effectively neutralized Zverev’s powerful, aggressive play and disrupted his rhythm. Despite Zverev’s technically sound game and strong serving, the pressure Sinner put on him throughout the match proved too much. Sinner’s consistency and mental fortitude in crucial moments were key to his success.

After the match, Sinner took the time to console Zverev, acknowledging his opponent’s resilience and offering words of encouragement. “First of all, I would like to start with Sascha. A tough day again for you, your whole team, and your family. You have an incredible team behind you, and you are an amazing player. Keep believing in yourself because all the players and coaches know how strong you are both as a player and a person. Keep it up and keep working hard, because we all believe you can lift one of these trophies very soon.”

Reflecting on his own journey, Sinner shared his happiness and gratitude for reaching this milestone. “I know Darren [Cahill], this is probably your last Australian Open as my coach, and I am so happy to share this trophy with you. Everything started when I changed the combination of my coach and physio, and I’m so happy to have you all here.”

Zverev, though disappointed, showed great sportsmanship in his remarks. “It’s too bad to stand next to this trophy and not be able to touch it. Congratulations to Jannik, you deserve it. You are the best player in the world by far. I hoped I could do better today, but you are simply too good. Congratulations to you and your team, you deserve it. You have done all the right things, and no one else deserves this trophy.”

Zverev also expressed his gratitude towards his own team, acknowledging their support through difficult times, including his recovery from a serious ankle injury. “I want to thank my team. We are trying to do the right things, but I’m just not good enough. It’s as simple as that. I appreciate everyone’s efforts over the past three years, from my ankle injury to playing in a Grand Slam final again. Without them, I wouldn’t be here,” Zverev said.

As Sinner adds another Grand Slam title to his growing collection, the tennis world eagerly awaits his next challenge, while Zverev will continue to chase that elusive major victory.