Jannik Sinner has made history by becoming the first Italian man to win the US Open singles title, triumphing over American Taylor Fritz with a score of 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 in a match held at Arthur Ashe Stadium, watched by a vibrant crowd.
The world No. 1 arrived at the tournament under scrutiny after being cleared of a doping case involving positive tests for a banned substance earlier this year. With expectations low, Sinner surprised many by delivering a powerful performance throughout the tournament, culminating in his victory on Sunday. He solidified his reputation as the top hard-court player in 2024.
Sinner’s win is particularly notable as it marks his second Grand Slam title this year, following his success at the Australian Open in January, making him the first man since Guillermo Vilas in 1977 to win his first two majors in the same season. He joins 2015 women’s champion Flavia Pennetta as only the second Italian to win a singles title at the US Open.
This victory is also significant for Sinner on a personal level, as the past few months have been fraught with challenges. He expressed relief and elation after navigating the difficulties surrounding the doping accusations, which he attributed to an unintentional error during a massage from a team member.
During the final match, he remained calm despite the crowd’s mixed reactions and dominant support for Fritz. After a shaky start in his first match of the tournament, Sinner advanced steadily, dropping only one set throughout the event.
Fritz, who reached his first major final, initially led in the match but struggled to maintain his momentum against Sinner’s aggressive play. Although he fought back in the third set, Sinner regained control to secure his historic win.
Celebrating his achievement, Sinner emphasized the importance of the title and expressed gratitude for the support from family and his team throughout the challenges he faced. Meanwhile, Fritz, while disappointed, acknowledged the positives of reaching the final and the breakthroughs he achieved this season, marking a hopeful future for American men’s tennis.
With Sinner’s win, he secured an impressive 4,105-point lead in the rankings, while Fritz’s strong showing will see him climb back into the top 10.