Jannik Sinner began the U.S. Open with a notable setback, losing the first set he played shortly after being cleared in a doping case that had remained under wraps until just before the tournament. Despite this challenging backdrop, the top-ranked player quickly regained his focus on the court. Sinner delivered a powerful performance, defeating Taylor Fritz with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 to secure the men’s championship at Arthur Ashe Stadium, less than three weeks after the revelation of his two positive tests for a trace amount of an anabolic steroid.
“It was definitely in my mind, and it still is,” Sinner admitted. “It’s not easy, but when I’m playing, I try to concentrate on the game and manage the situation as best as I can. I believe I did a great job mentally by staying focused on each point.”
The victory, which lasted 2 hours and 15 minutes, marked Sinner’s second Grand Slam title, following his win at the Australian Open earlier this year. It also continued the wait for American men for a major championship, which has persisted for 21 years since Andy Roddick’s win at the 2003 U.S. Open. Fritz, aged 26 from California, was aiming to break this drought but expressed regret at not being able to capture the title.
“I know we’ve been waiting for a champion for a long time, so I’m sorry I couldn’t get it done,” Fritz said.
Nonetheless, the tournament was a significant success for U.S. tennis, featuring both male and female players reaching the semifinals for the first time at a major since 2003. Jessica Pegula made it to the women’s final but was defeated by Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus.
Sinner’s remarkable year included a 55-5 record and a tour-high of six titles in 2024, with a 35-2 record on hard courts. He became the first man since Guillermo Vilas in 1977 to secure his first two Grand Slam titles in the same season. This year also marked a shift in tennis, as no member of the Big Three—Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, or the retired Roger Federer—won a Grand Slam title, leaving the victories to Sinner and fellow rising star Carlos Alcaraz.
“It’s nice to witness new champions and rivalries emerging in the sport,” Sinner noted.
Sinner’s doping case, revealed on August 20, indicated he tested positive for a substance found in an over-the-counter product in Italy. He was exonerated on the grounds that his use was unintentional, claiming it had entered his system during a massage provided by a former team member.
Despite scrutiny, many believed Sinner’s use was accidental. The fans at the U.S. Open were supportive and did not give him a hard time regarding the incident.
“It’s understandable why people are frustrated. But if the facts prove to be true, it makes sense scientifically,” said Travis Tygart, CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.
Sinner dedicated his latest win to an ill aunt and acknowledged the emotional strain he experienced while dealing with the doping controversy.
“This whole period was tough,” he shared. “It affected how I performed and felt out there during certain tournaments. But this tournament allowed me to rediscover my true self.”
On the court, Fritz had the advantage of local support, with a crowd that included celebrities, cheering for him enthusiastically. They erupted in excitement as he fought hard during the match, especially when he leveled the score in the third set.
However, Sinner quickly regained control, demonstrating his skill and consistency by finishing the match with an impressive run of four consecutive games. He ended the contest with just 21 unforced errors compared to Fritz’s 12.
Fritz struggled early on, with only 36% of his first serves landing and few aces, which proved detrimental. Despite some improvements throughout the match, he was unable to consistently challenge Sinner.
“That’s just how it goes when you’re up against the best player in the world right now,” Fritz reflected.