Jannik Sinner wins his second Grand Slam at the US Open | ATP Tour

US Open

Sinner wins his second Grand Slam at the US Open

The world No. 1 has won in Melbourne and New York in 2024

September 08, 2024

One of Jannik Sinner’s biggest challenges this season was to open his showcase with the first Grand Slam of his career. Not only did he achieve his goal at the start of the season at the Australian Open, but this Sunday he was able to repeat it at the US Open.

The PIF ATP Rankings No. 1 defeated home favorite Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 in two hours and 15 minutes in the final at Flushing Meadows, becoming the first player to win his first two Grand Slams in the same year since Guillermo Vilas in 1977.

“This title means a lot to me; the last stage of my career has not been easy,” Sinner said. “There is my team, who support me every day, the people who are close to me.”

“I love tennis, I train a lot for these kinds of scenarios, but off the court there is life. I would like to dedicate this title to my aunt, who is not in very good health. I don’t know how much longer I will have her in my life. It’s nice that I can share a positive moment with her.”

Sinner also became the fourth man to win both hard-court majors in the same season (since 1988), taking over from Novak Djokovic who also did so last year.

Australian Open and US Open champions in the same season
Jannik Sinner: 2024

Novak Djokovic: 2011, 2015, 2023

Roger Federer: 2004, 2006, 2007

Mats Wilander: 1988

The Italian, who lived up to his status as top seed, showed the potential that has allowed him to rise to the top of the PIF ATP Rankings throughout the American tour, putting the icing on the cake in New York. Sinner has now won 11 consecutive tournaments, including the ATP Masters 1000 titles in Cincinnati and the US Open.

“I’ve had some great wins this season, starting in Australia,” Sinner said. “Playing so well there gave me confidence. The work never stops. I know I can keep improving, as we saw today, there are a couple of things. But I have to be proud of what I have and the rest I have to work on. I’m looking forward to continuing with the process.”

In addition, he raised the number of ATP Tour titles he has to his name in 2024 alone to six – just over a third of all his total (16) – and on hard courts he has been unstoppable with 35 matches won.

The last of them against the local idol at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The eyes of the entire country of the stars and stripes were fixed on the shoulders of Fritz, who had the pressure of breaking an American drought that had lasted in the New York tournament since Andy Roddick won in 2003.

The final was an unknown, because Fritz had the support of more than 23,000 people who attended the final, the Lexus ATP Head2Head was tied 1-1 and the American arrived in the last round with the support of having defeated three Grand Slam finalists in Matteo Berrettini (2R), No. 8 Casper Ruud (4R) and No. 4 Alexander Zverev (CF).

Would Sinner be able to maintain his level? Would the Italian’s match load affect him? And the pressure of being the favourite? He was quick to give a clear answer to all the questions. He took a 2-0 lead with a break to open the match, imposing respect on an opponent who knew how to recover from his problems with the same coin. Fritz returned the break and left the score at 2-3 in his favour.

But the 23-year-old Italian showed no signs of weakness or doubts at any time. He dispelled any hopes of the home crowd with four consecutive games to take the opening set 6-3. And he was not satisfied. With a high success rate with points in play with the first serve (85%), he held on to his service games to close out his fourth break in the tenth game (6-4).

Fritz tried to stretch the match, when Sinner put the pressure on again. The American won the sixth game, which his rival dominated 15/40, to make it 3-3 on the scoreboard. He pulled out all the stops to rescue his best form when things looked worse and give himself the opportunity to serve out the third set (5-3). However, the main favourite responded to equalise (5-5) and was then unstoppable on his way to victory.

Sinner inscribed his name alongside seven other world No. 1s who have been able to win the US Open wearing the badge on their lapel: Jimmy Connors (1974, 1976, 1978); John McEnroe (1981, 1984); Ivan Lendl (1986, 1987); Pete Sampras (1996); Roger Federer (2004, 2007); Novak Djokovic (2011, 2015); Rafael Nadal (2010, 2017).

The Italian will leave New York, sharing the four Grand Slams with Carlos Alcaraz (champion at Roland Garros and Wimbledon) and with a total of six crowns this year spread between the Australian Open, Rotterdam, the ATP Masters 1000 in Miami, Halle, the ATP Masters 1000 in Cincinnati and the US Open.

Did you know that…?
Jannik Sinner became the first Italian to win the men’s singles title in New York, joining Flavia Pennetta, who was until now the only Italian player to win the singles title (2015).