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Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner Clinches ATP Year-End No. 1 Ranking

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SHANGHAI – Jannik Sinner has clinched ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honours — becoming the first Italian to do so — following his semi-final win at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

On 10 June, Sinner became the first man or woman from his country to reach World No. 1 in singles since computerised rankings were introduced in 1973. He has not relinquished his place since and will retain it at least through the end of the season.

“It’s amazing. It’s something you dream of when you are a kid, when you are young, just to reach the No. 1. Now having the year-end, it’s also a different and special feeling,” Sinner said. “It means so much to me, obviously. This is something I could not accomplish without all the people I have around — the family and friends and also a big credit to my team.”

The 23-year-old is the 19th player to claim year-end World No. 1 and just the fourth active player, joining Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz.

Sinner won the Australian Open to begin his season and has not looked back since. After a battle with Alcaraz through the middle of the season for year-end No. 1 honours, he has pulled away to claim the prestigious award. He has captured an ATP Tour-leading six titles — including his first major triumphs at the Australian Open and US Open — and will try to win his seventh trophy of 2024 on Sunday in the Rolex Shanghai Masters final.

By emerging victorious in Melbourne and New York, Sinner became just the third man in the Open Era to claim his first two Grand Slam titles in the same season. He was the first to accomplish the feat since Guillermo Vilas in 1977.

Sinner entered the season with momentum after reaching the championship match at the 2023 Nitto ATP Finals and leading Italy to Davis Cup glory. Beginning 2024 at World No. 4, he rallied from a two-set deficit to Daniil Medvedev in the final at Melbourne Park to become just the second Italian man to claim Grand Slam glory in the Open Era, joining Adriano Panatta (1976 Roland Garros).

Sinner would win his first 16 matches of the year and his record for the season stands at 64-6. The 23-year-old has matched his personal-best wins total from last year, when he set the record for most wins by a male player from his country in a single season in the Open Era.

The San Candido native entered the year with one ATP Masters 1000 title and has added two more, lifting trophies in Miami and Cincinnati. He also claimed crowns at ATP 500 events in Rotterdam and Halle.

By adding to his majors total at the US Open, Sinner became one of only four players who have triumphed at the Australian Open and US Open on hard court in the same season. The other three are Djokovic, Roger Federer and Mats Wilander.

Sinner has already held World No. 1 for 17 weeks and will continue adding to his total. He already ranks 18th among the 29 players who have reached World No. 1 in weeks at the top of the sport.

ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said: “Finishing the season as the best player in the world is the ultimate achievement in tennis. Jannik’s determination and tireless work ethic earn him his place in history as the first Italian to achieve this milestone. At just 23 years old, he should be immensely proud of everything he has accomplished. We look forward with great excitement to watching his journey continue.”

Jannik Sinner in action during a men’s singles semifinal match at the 2024 US Open on Friday, Sep. 6, 2024 in Flushing, NY. (Garrett Ellwood/USTA)

Carlos Alcaraz Beats Jannik Sinner In A Classic To Win China Open In Beijing

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Carlos Alcaraz won the last seven points of the match, streaking to seven successive points in a deciding final-set tie-break to beat world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the final of the China Open in Beijing.

The next generation of tennis greats – and perhaps the next great rivalry in men’s tennis – battled for well over three hours before Alcaraz finally prevailed 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 7-6 (7-3).

Having cruised into a 5-2 lead in the opening set, Alcaraz wobbled to allow defending champion Sinner to reel off four of the next five games to force a tie-break that the Italian won with three breaks of serve. An hour-long second set was settled in Alcaraz’s favor, but a topsy-turvy deciding set went the distance. Sinner breezed into a 3-0 lead in the final-set tie-breaker, only for Alcaraz to string together an extraordinary run of seven straight points to claim the crown.

The win for Alcaraz was his sixth in the 10 career meetings with Sinner. Alcaraz has won all three meetings in the 2024 season, also winning in the semifinals of Indian Wells and Roland Garros. Both young stars split the four Grand Slam tournament crows in 2024, Sinner winning the Australian and U.S. Opens and Alcaraz winning Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

The two played one of the great matches in U.S. Open history in 2022, as discussed here “Alcaraz – Sinner Post Script: Keep Late Night US Open Matches” https://youtu.be/esRmKjEr4EA?si=GDeHYxRLtC5lDTVZ via @YouTube

Jannik Sinner Snuffs Out Taylor Fritz To Win The U.S. Open

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BY JAMES BECK

Jannik Sinner really never gave Taylor Fritz a chance in Sunday’s U.S. Open men’s final.

That’s what a world’s No. 1 does to the likes of a world’s No. 12.

But most of the full house of fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium probably had their fingers crossed that the 6-5 Fritz would pull off a gigantic upset. Fritz just wasn’t good enough to make the fans’ dreams come true.

ITALIAN MAKES THINGS LOOK EASY

After all, the likes of Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev kept their total of 30 Grand Slam titles on ice in summer’s heat. But not the 23-year-old Sinner, who won his second Grand Slam hard court of 2024.

The slim, long-legged Italian made things look easy in the first two sets when he broke Fritz’s service twice in the last three games of the first set and then in the last game of the second set. The third set got a little more complex when Fritz broke service to go up 5-3, only to lose the last four games of a 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 romp by Sinner.

FRITZ DENIED BIG GOALS

That was it, and American Fritz was denied becoming the first American in 21 years to win the U.S. Open.

Of course, Sinner was the first Italian man to win the U.S. Open.

Just a few weeks earlier Sinner was just hoping that he would be exonerated in a doping case that threatened his chance of even playing in this U.S. Open.

The match had some great rallies that kept fans on the edge of their seats until Sinner spoiled their day and dreams. Sinner was in a league all of his own, especially in that last set when he could do little wrong when the set appeared to be in danger.

JANNIK DID MOST THINGS RIGHT

Sinner hit big, served big and moved like an antelope all afternoon while holding down his errors most of the way to victory.

The Italian looked fully capable of continuing his hold on the world’s top ranking in 2024. Staying healthy and making those slim legs of his grow stronger look like his main task for the rest of 2024. And don’t forget that long right arm that separates him from most of the world’s professional tennis players.

Just watch out for Alcaraz and Djokovic, and maybe a couple of newcomers to the top ranks of men’s tennis.

Just for now, Jannik Sinner is doing a lot of things right.

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James Beck was the 2003 winner of the USTA National Media Award  for print media. A 1995 MBA graduate of The Citadel, he can be reached at Jamesbecktennis@gmail.com.

Jannik Sinner in action during a men’s singles semifinal match at the 2024 US Open on Friday, Sep. 6, 2024 in Flushing, NY. (Garrett Ellwood/USTA)

Durability Is The Key To Jannik Sinner vs. Taylor Fritz U.S. Open Final

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BY JAMES BECK

Taylor Fritz has finally made it to the top of the game, the American Grand Slam event. He is capable of even winning this U.S. Open.

But if his semifinal  five-set survival against fellow American Frances Tiafoe was difficult, wait until he steps into the tennis ring against Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s U.S. Open men’s final.

Sinner will present a much more diversified game, a little different from the sometimes dull hit-and-return game that Tiafoe tossed at Fritz. The key is Sinner’s durability. If he has it for the entire distance, world’s No. 1 Sinner likely will earn a second Grand Slam title.

SINNER IS EVERYWHERE

Sinner, at 6-4, covers the court like a long-legged deer. He’s everywhere.

Fritz covers the same terrain, but in a different manner, not quite as smooth as Sinner.

Sinner seems to thrive on opponents who simply try to outlast him in rallies. Opponents such as his semifinal victim, Jack Draper, seemed comfortable in just staying in games against Sinner until the tall Italian pulled the trigger on his big game and pushed Drapper to places on the court he couldn’t handle.

Sinner seemed like in each game just to be waiting to get in position to close out a set in his straight-set 7-5, 7-6 (3), 6-2 romp past Draper. The match wasn’t as close as the score.

FRITZ HAPPY TO TAKE HIS TIME

Fritz is a 6-5, 26-year-old who hits hard, too, but not quite with the same cutting efficiency  as Sinner. Fritz seemed to be perfectly happy to play a lose-one, win-one match with Tiafoe until it came time to  win two sets in a row to close out their five-set semifinal for at, 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Watching the matches on my laptop since ESPN had bailed out on Direct TV at a really awkward time for many tennis fans, the matches seemed a little less exciting but still entertaining. At least, you didn’t need to listen to the McEnroe-plus gang or go directly to the mute button. Yet, I still missed their chatter at times.

WATCHING TENNIS AND FOOTBALL

It’s tennis, not a football game where the announcers are so important in keeping you up with what’s happening on the field.

It’s a little more relaxing to unplug your laptop and sit in a recliner with the laptop in your lap, and watch tennis. You can even sit back between tennis games and watch your favorite college football team playing on the big TV.

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James Beck was the 2003 winner of the USTA National Media Award  for print media. A 1995 MBA graduate of The Citadel, he can be reached at Jamesbecktennis@gmail.com.

Jannik Sinner hits a forehand during a men’s singles semifinal match at the 2024 US Open on Friday, Sep. 6, 2024 in Flushing, NY. (Simon Bruty/USTA)

Is This The Time Alexander Zverev Wins A Grand Slam Title?

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BY JAMES BECK

Alexander Zverev may finally be ready to win a Grand Slam title. Just maybe.

Carlos Alcaraz produces magic, while Zverev may actually be the strongest hitter in the men’s game right now.

Zverev appears to be as mobile around the court as almost anyone. And he can hit with anyone.

Then, there’s the serve. It was off a bit at the start against Casper Ruud in the French Open semifinals, but the serve took charge of the match to win the last three sets in a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 victory.

YES, ZVEREV KNOWS HE CAN WIN THE BIG ONE

Why shouldn’t Zverev think he can win this French Open? After all, the talented German actually owns a 5-4 edge in head-to-head meetings with the 21-year-old Alcaraz.

Zverev has been playing like a wild man recently. He usually serves like no one else with brutal power. And his ground strokes must look like missiles to his opponent, especially the backhand.

He’s more versatile than he looks. And now, like Alcaraz, Zverev has an arsenal of drop shots.

Of course, in the past, there have been times when Zverev couldn’t finish the job. This will be his second Grand Slam final, having lost in the 2020 U.S. Open final to Dominic Thiem.

THE TALL GUY MUST BE PRETTY GOOD ON CLAY

Zverev has reached four consecutive Roland Garros semifinals. So, even at 6-6 tall he must be a pretty good clay courter, even one capable of defeating Alcaraz? Yes.

Alcaraz didn’t pull the rabbit out of his hat against soon to-be No. 1-ranked Jannik Sinner until he was down two sets to one in Friday’s other semifinal.

And then Sinner suddenly went down rather quietly in clutch situations in his 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 loss to Alcaraz.

TWO LOBS CHANGED THE MATCH

Two consecutive points that Alcaraz won with almost magical lobs appeared to play a major role in the match. Ahead 30-0 in the 10th game of the fourth set and having lost only three points in the set on his serve, Sinner appeared to be ready to even the set at 5-5.

But Sinner misplayed the two Alcaraz lobs and lost both points to put the Spanish star in position to force a fifth set by winning the next two points.

Sinner wasn’t the same after that as he quickly faced a 4-1 deficit in the decisive set.

THE MAGICAL RACKET MAY STILL BELONG TO ALCARAZ

About the same time, Alcaraz seemed to have magic in his racket, repeatedly notching magical winners.

So, Alcaraz is knocking on the door of his third Grand Slam title, and in the process needing only the Australian Open to complete a career Grand Slam at a very young age.

The key might be whether the Spanish star has magic in his racket again.

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James Beck was the 2003 winner of the USTA National Media Award  for print media. A 1995 MBA graduate of The Citadel, he can be reached at Jamesbecktennis@gmail.com.

Alexander Zverev

The Latest Finishes In Grand Slam Tournament History – Djokovic vs. Musetti Added To The List

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By Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

Novak Djokovic created more tennis history for himself early Sunday morning at Roland Garros.

His 7-6, 6-7(6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 win over Lorenzo Musetti concluded at 3:06 am local time in Paris, the latest finishing match in the history of the French Championships. The French Tennis Federation has staged night matches only since 2021 after the roof on the Chatrier Stadium Court was completed for the 2020 tournament. However, it was decided that only one match be played during the night session, as Chris Clarey wrote in the New York Times in 2022 here https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/01/sports/tennis/french-open-night-matches.html “largely because the French decided to do them their own way by scheduling just one match in that slot instead of two, the usual offering at other Grand Slam events. Guy Forget, the former French Open tournament director who was part of that decision, said it was made ‘so matches would not end at 3 a.m.’” However due to lengthy matches on Chatrier on Saturday, namely Alexander Zverev beating Tallon Griekspoor in four hours, 14 minutes, Grigor Dimitrov having to finish his win over Zizou Bergs under the roof due to rain, but needing five sets to do so, Djokovic and Musetti did not take the court until about 10:30 pm. Not withstanding, Djokovic and Musetti then played for four hours, 29 minutes.

Here’s a look at the latest finishing matches at the other four major championships

Australian Open

2008 – At 4:34 am local time in Melbourne, local favorite Lleyton Hewitt and Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus complete the latest concluded match in the history of major championships and one of the Australian Open’s most extraordinary matches, Hewitt prevailing 3-6, 7-5, 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-3 in 4 hours, 45 minutes to advance into the fourth round. Hewitt, who calls the victory “one of my best wins mentally, “ leads 5-1 in the fourth set and holds a match point at 5-2, before Baghdatis rallies to extend the match deeper into the early morning hours. Due to a back-log of matches, including top-seed Roger Federer’s 10-8 in the fifth-set third-set survival against Janko Tipsarevic, the match does not start until 11:47 pm the previous day. The previous latest finish of a match was at the 2007 Australian Open, when Italy’s Andreas Seppi defeated American Bobby Reynolds 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-7 (5), 7-6 (3), 6-3 at 3:34 am (play delayed during the day due to excessive heat, causing for the match to start at 11:45 pm local time).

U.S. Open

2022 – Carlos Alcaraz closed out a 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-7 (0), 7-5, 6-3 win over Jannik Sinner in the second-longest and latest finishing match in U.S. Open history, concluding at 2:50 am. The five hour and 15 minute quarterfinal marathon was 11 minutes shorter than the longest-ever U.S. Open match, Stefan Edberg beating Michael Chang in 5:26 in the U.S. Open semifinals in 1992. Read my story here: https://www.worldtennismagazine.com/archives/21278

Wimbledon

2012 – Andy Murray beats Marcos Baghdatis 7-5 3-6 7-5 6-1 in the third round of Wimbledon in a match that finishes under the Wimbledon roof at 11:02 pm local time, the latest finish in Wimbledon history – two minutes passed the locally imposed 11 pm deadline for tennis to finish. “I was under the impression I was stopping at 11 regardless of what the score was – even if it was in the middle of a game,” Murray says. “I am obviously glad I managed to get the finish. The atmosphere at the end was excellent.”

Jannik Sinner Fans Need To Declare They Are “A Sinner…Fan” With This T-Shirt

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Jannik Sinner is the new sensation in the world of professional tennis.

And you can declare yourself as a “Sinner” with this fun new T-shirt, made in orange in the spirit of Sinner’s carrot-top hair color and in the spirt of his fan group, The Carota Boys. Declare that you are “A Sinner….fan” by buying this t-shirt here:

https://spyglass-shirts.printify.me/products/1 or go to SpyglassShirts.com

At age 22, Sinner is already recognized as the greatest Italian tennis player in history. He lead his nation to the Davis Cup title in 2023, buoyed by an upset win over Novak Djokovic. He then won his first major single title at the Australian Open in 2024, defeating Djokovic in the semifinals and Daniil Medvedev in the final.

Read about Sinner’s fan club, The Carota Boys here

https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/01/sport/carota-boys-jannik-sinner-tennis-spt-intl/index.html

Jannik Sinner fan T-shirt

The New Guard: Unveiling The Rising Stars From Tennis And Their Impact On The Sport

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In collaboration with BettingTips4You.com tennis expert Steve Harrington, we explore the evolving landscape of professional tennis, marked by the emergence of young talents poised to challenge the supremacy of established champions. The dynamic shifts and new rivalries offer a fresh perspective on the sport’s future, making each match an enthralling spectacle of skill and spirit.

Key Trends in Men’s Tennis: A New Era Unfolds The men’s tennis circuit is witnessing a transformative era as young prodigies like Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Felix Auger-Aliassime ascend the ranks, reshaping the competitive dynamics. Alcaraz, with his raw power and strategic finesse, has already clinched titles at prestigious tournaments such as the Miami and Madrid Opens, signalling his readiness to dominate. Sinner, transitioning from a skiing prodigy to a tennis sensation, combines a fierce backhand with an unshakeable temperament, carving his path through the rankings. Meanwhile, Auger-Aliassime has been making headlines with his victories across various ATP 500 tournaments, showcasing a game that blends power with precision.

These athletes are not just participants; they are revolutionizing men’s tennis with their youthful vigour and ambitious pursuit of greatness. Their achievements on the court are a prelude to the potential shifts in dominance within the sport, challenging veterans and captivating tennis aficionados worldwide.

Women’s Tennis: Trailblazers Redefining the Game In women’s tennis, figures like Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff are at the forefront of a revolution. Swiatek, from Poland, has rapidly ascended to the top with multiple Grand Slam titles, including the Roland Garros and the US Open. Her aggressive playstyle and mental fortitude have set her apart as a formidable force on the court. American teen sensation Coco Gauff, on the other hand, burst onto the scene by defeating Venus Williams at Wimbledon at just 15 years old. Gauff continues to impress with her maturity, resilience, and strategic acumen, promising a bright future in the sport.

These young phenoms are not merely participating; they are steering the direction of women’s tennis, infusing it with a new level of intensity and competition that promises to elevate the sport to unprecedented heights.

The Next Wave: Emerging Talents to Watch The tennis world is also keeping an eye on newcomers like Holger Rune, Lorenzo Musetti, and Casper Ruud, who bring unique styles and ambitions to the forefront. Rune, known for his tactical intelligence and on-court agility, has already made significant strides with multiple ATP titles. Musetti, with a flair for dramatic play and a solid baseline game, and Ruud, whose prowess on clay courts is well noted, are both showing signs of future greatness, challenging older players and adding depth to the tournaments.

Challenging the Titans: The Journey to the Top These young talents face the daunting task of overcoming tennis giants such as Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer. The journey is not just about physical skill but also about mental strength and the ability to perform under pressure. The gap in experience is narrow, but it’s filled with opportunities for these rising stars to make their mark and possibly dethrone the kings of the court.

A Global Phenomenon: Tennis’s Expanding Horizon Tennis continues to be a global spectacle, with young players emerging from various countries, diversifying the talent pool, and bringing new strategies and strengths to the game. This global diversity not only enhances the sport’s appeal but also intensifies the competition, making every tournament unpredictable and thrilling.

As we look ahead to 2024, the landscape of tennis is vibrant with the promise of fierce competitions and new legends in the making.

Join us in watching the ascent of these remarkable athletes who are set to captivate and redefine tennis in the years to come. Whether you are a seasoned aficionado or a newcomer to the sport, the unfolding drama of tennis’s new era is something you wouldn’t want to miss.

Jannik Sinner Moves To World No. 2 With Miami Open Title

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by Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

Jannik Sinner is the king of South Florida today, as Mark Petchey said on Tennis Channel after the Miami Open final, and tomorrow he will rule the world.

It certainly seems as though Sinner will soon become the world’s No. 1 player and his destructive run to the singles title at the Miami Open moved the Italian to the No. 2 ranking for the first time. His display at Hard Rock Stadium served further notice that Sinner will be one of the main protagonists in this generation of men’s tennis.

After a 6-1, 6-2 ruthless run through Daniil Medvedev in the Miami Open semifinals, Sinner was almost as merciless against Grigor Dimitrov in the final, posting a 6-3, 6-1 victory, his 22nd win in 23 matches so far this year that included his first major singles title at the Australian Open.

Sinner’s serious assault on the top ranking began in the last quarter of 2023. After a fourth-round five-set loss to Alexander Zverev at the U.S. Open, Sinner won the titles in Beijing and Vienna and finished the year with a 20-2 run that included a runner-up finish to world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the final of the Nitto ATP Finals in front of the home fans in Turin, Italy (After beating Djokovic in round-robin play earlier in the week). Sinner also led Italy to the Davis Cup title, which was the first major accomplishment on a resume if you want to one day be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Sinner didn’t lose his momentum in 2024, upsetting the 10-time Australian Open champion Djokovic in the semifinals and Medvedev in the final for his first major title in Melbourne. After winning the title in Rotterdam, Sinner experienced his only blip in his 2024 season so far, falling to Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals of Indian Wells in a preview of what will likely be the rivalry in men’s tennis in the next decade.

The Miami Open title was the third-time charm for Sinner after falling in last year’s final to Medvedev inside Hard Rock Stadium and losing to Hubert Hurkacz in the 2021 final that was played in front of limited fans on the facility’s Grandstand Court due to the COVID-pandemic.

Jannik Sinner (Photo by Justin Cohen Photography)

Before Jannik Sinner, There Was Adriano Panatta

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by Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

Before Jannik Sinner, there was Adriano Panatta, who was the only other Italian man in the Open Era of tennis (since 1968) to win a major singles title.

All respect goes to perhaps the all-time Italian men’s tennis great Nicola Pietrangeli, who won back-to-back French titles in 1959 and 1960 and lost two other finals at Roland Garros. In the pantheon of Italian men’s tennis greats, he will still be regarded as the top cannoli.

In his famed tennis encyclopedia “The Bud Collins History of Tennis,” Hall of Famer Bud Collins described Panatta at the time as the “best Italian in the Open Era,” which is now up for debate with Sinner’s success. Panatta’s career record is quite similar to that of Sinner as it stands now – one major singles title (1976 French for Panatta, 2024 Australian for Sinner), 10 singles titles (against 11 now for Sinner) and a Davis Cup title for Italy. However, Sinner is only 22 years old. Panatta’s success is not quite up to snuff for the International Tennis Hall of Fame, which is why his bio, as seen in the official “Bud Collins History of Tennis” (which is for sale and download here https://a.co/d/fOGnbec is only written in short-hand note form, as you can read below.

PANATTA, Adriano—Best Italian in Open era, Adriano Panatta, RH, b. July 9, 1950, Rome. Slick 6 ft god at Il Foro Italico, Rome, responding winningly to feverish chants, “AD-REE-ANNO!” Strong serve, whipping forehand, called “Portiere” (Goaltender) for brilliant volleying saves. Spectacular 1976 (45-15 matches)—Won French singles, def. Harold Solomon (USA), 6-1, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7-3). Won Italian singles, def. Guillermo Vilas (ARG), 2-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2, 7-6 (7-1). Lost Italian F, 1978, to Bjorn Borg (SWE) 1-6, 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3, a tumultuous verbal and tossed-coins assault on Borg. Led Italy to lone Davis Cup, def. Chile, 5-0 (10-1 singles; 5-1 doubles). Also to F, 1977, 79-80. Cup record, 1970–83, 38 ties, 37-26 singles; 27-10 doubles; one of 14 to play 100 matches. MP escapes in big titles, 1976: French, 1 MP, def. Pavel Hutka (CZE), 1st rd., 2-6, 6-2, 6-2, 0-6, 12-10; Italian, 11 MP, def. Kim Warwick (AUS), 1st rd. 3-6, 6-4, 7-6. Best world rank, No. 4 in Aug 1976, 7 at end of 1976. Career: won 10 singles (364-223 matches), 18 doubles (233-152 matches) pro titles, $776,187 prize money. Younger brother, Claudio Panatta (b. Feb. 2, 1960, Rome) played Davis Cup, pro tour.

Jannik Sinner Writes His Own Story In Dramatic Australian Open Win

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BY JAMES BECK

It’s been the same old story at the Australian Open for a long time in the men’s game.

One of the greats almost always would take the top prize Down Under. Either Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer or even Stan Wawrinka always prevailed since 2006 at Melbourne.

And then came Jannik Sinner in 2024.

None of the other superstars were still around for Sunday’s final.

A DIFFERENT AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Yes, this time it was a different Australian Open.

But actually Sinner may have written his own story when he upended Djokovic in the semifinals. Without that experience, the slender Italian may not have been able to handle the pressure that Daniil Medvedev sent his way in the final.

Sinner was ready for the finish line after shocking Djokovic in the semifinals. It just took time to get there.

Sinner played within himself most of the last three sets of the final. A first-time Grand Slam finalist, Sinner played as if he belonged there in those three sets.

But, oh, those first two sets when Medvedev dominated play with his backhand from the middle of the court. Backhands usually are reserved for the backhand side of the court, but not with the tall Russian on the court.

SINNER DIDN’T PLAY HIS GAME AT FIRST

In a similar manner as women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka, Sinner followed up a big semifinal win with his own Australian Open title. Only, Sinner had to fight for five sets to accomplish his dream Down Under with a 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Medvedev.

Sinner appeared to play far differently from his victory over Djokovic when he controlled the court with his aggressive play and power.

This time, Sinner started things conservatively with few aggressive winners, repeatedly leaving the corners wide open for Medvedev’s crafty, but hard hit strokes. Medvedev made Sinner  pay a price with a style of play that was just the opposite.

Medvedev played close to the baseline and aggressively hopped on balls with his backhand in whip-lash fashion. He hardly had to move as he conserved energy.

THE STRATEGY ALMOST WORKED TO PERFECTION

Medvedev’s strategy worked like a charm until Sinner served the ninth game of the third set as Medvedev once needed only six points for a possible Grand Slam title. Sinner managed to overcome a deuce score to win that game.

Medvedev fell behind 30-0 serving the 10th game of the set and then Sinner got his first set point. Sinner made it stand up and it was a new game after that.

Sinner didn’t appear to be ready for Medvedev’s game the first two sets, but the Italian then came alive. He became prepared for Medvedev, even after losing the first two sets.

Of course, Sabalenka got her boost from a surprising, but solid win over talented Coco Graff in the women’s semifinals. Sabalenka then was never really challenged by Qinwen Zheng in the final.

Sinner’s final was much different.  He was somewhat lucky to escape with  a win.

Medvedev almost wrapped up the title in the ninth game, but it didn’t happen. As a result, Sinner may have started his own success story in Grand Slam finals.

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James Beck was the 2003 winner of the USTA National Media Award  for print media. A 1995 MBA graduate of The Citadel, he can be reached at Jamesbecktennis@gmail.com.

Emma Navarro USTA STORY BY BECK LINK

https://www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/southern/emma-navarro-s-quick-rise-to-no–31.html#tab=tournaments
Jannik Sinner

Matteo Arnaldi, Built By Italy’s Numerous ATP Challengers, Helps Italy Win The Davis Cup

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Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

While Jannik Sinner will undoubtedly be seen as the ultimate hero of Italy’s Davis Cup title in 2023, you must certainly look at the contribution of the Italian No. 2 player Matteo Arnaldi and how the Italian Tennis Federation’s commitment to hosting developmental Challenger-level events helped create this great national triumph.

Sinner is a natural talent, a once in a generational type prodigy, who was touted for the top 10 since his early teenage years. However, Arnaldi’s development into the player who would critically put Italy up 1-0 in the Davis Cup Final after his tight three-set win over Alexei Popyrin of Australia was more of a slow-burn, aided by competitive opportunities within his nation’s own border. One of the strategies of the Italian Tennis Federation is to create as many competitive tournament opportunities as possible within their country to not promote the sport, but to make it as easy as possible for Italian players to compete, improve their game, earn prize money and earn ranking points to help their nation to international tennis glory. The extensive opportunities accorded to Arnaldi, starting at age 18, helped mold him into an experienced top 50 player who, alongside Sinner, would give Italy a 2-0 win over Australia to win the Davis Cup Final for only the second time ever.

Arnaldi is 22 years old (the same age as Sinner) and is ranked No. 44. He began his pro career in 2019 and earned his ATP singles point at the $25,000 Futures event in the Italian city of Vercelli and would play seven events in his native country as he got his feet wet in pro competition.

Since the 2020 season was a bit of a wash due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted most of the tennis season. In 2021, Arnaldi was able to play 10 events in Italy which guided him to a ranking of No. 364 at age 20 as he started the 2022 season at the $45,000 Challenger in Forli, Italy. It would be the first of 18 – YES EIGHTEEN – Challengers that Arnaldi would play in Italy during the year where he began his transition from the Challenger Tour to the ATP Tour.

Arnaldi played nine challengers in Italy before he played, as a wild card entry, in the Rome Masters in May, where he lost in the first round to former U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic. The very next week, there was another Italian competitive opportunity at the Francavilla Al Mare Challenger just a two-hour drive from Rome. It was here where Arnaldi won his first-ever Challenger crown, which moved him to No. 238 in the world and allowing him to be able to qualify for the qualifying rounds at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open later in the year. This was the foot hold Arnaldi needed to start to get some traction to play at the Grand Slam and ATP level. He played his 18th and final ATP Challenger in his native Italy to end the year at the Bergamo Challenger and ended the year ranked No. 134, which helped him also qualify for the “NextGen” Finals, which was played, appropriately enough, in Milan, Italy! In 2023, Arnaldi, buoyed by his experiences and point-gathering opportunities, became a full-time ATP Tour level player, as he ranking climbed into the top 50, highlighted by a fourth-round run to the U.S. Open in August.

It is interesting to note that in 2023, Italy hosted 23 ATP Challengers in all. By comparison, the United States, which has 33 times the geographic size as Italy and has 280 million more people, hosted one fewer ATP Challenger with 22.