One year ago, tennis star Jannik Sinner took his first Grand Slam title in his career at the Australian Open. Now, the world number one has defended his title in Melbourne.
The 23-year-old Italian never let in the German world number two Alexander Zverev in the final at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. Sinner did not have a single break ball against him in his own serve – this has only happened twice before in a Grand Slam final on the men's side.
Third Grand Slam title
I've had a fantastic tournament. This is the most special Grand Slam tournament for me, says Sinner, who won the final with 6–3, 7–6 (7–4), 6–3.
Since Sinner won the Australian Open in January last year, he has added another Grand Slam title to his merits. In September, the Italian also won the US Open at Flushing Meadows outside New York.
The victory came shortly after he was acquitted of doping offenses. On two occasions in 2024, he tested positive for the banned steroid clostebol. The International Anti-Doping Organization Wada has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas). The case will be heard in mid-April and Wada wants Sinner banned for one to two years.
As I've always said: I play the tennis I do now because I have a clear conscience. If I had known I was guilty, I wouldn't have been able to play like this, says Sinner after the Grand Slam victory, according to the news agency AFP.
Praised by Zverev
Zverev had no chance overall and praised Sinner after the final defeat.
You're the clearly best player in the world. I had hoped to compete with you today, but you're just too good, says Zverev after losing his third Grand Slam final out of three possible in his career.
If the German had managed to shake off Sinner, he would have needed to win the second set, which went to a tiebreak. There, Sinner was disciplined, while the 23-year-old had a couple of net rollers on his side.
Now, Sinner becomes the first since Spaniard Rafael Nadal (2005 and 2006 in the French Open) to follow up a debut victory in a Grand Slam tournament by defending the same title.
