Sinner becomes the first Italian to win the US Open title

NEW YORK:

Jannik Sinner produced a commanding performance of key power, becoming the first Italian to win the US Open with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 victory over American Taylor Fritz in Sunday’s final. This victory marked Sinner’s second Grand Slam title, following his triumph at the Australian Open earlier in the year.

Despite a strong support from home fans hoping to see Fritz end the US men’s 21-year Grand Slam title drought, Sinner’s dominance was clear and he lifted the trophy amid cheers at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

This year’s US Open attracted more than a million fans across three weeks of both qualifying and main draw play, a record attendance for the final Grand Slam of the year, according to the United States Tennis Association (USTA).

A total of 1,048,669 spectators passed through the gates of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, an 8% increase over 2023. The record included 832,640 spectators for the two weeks of main draw matches, further reinforcing the tournament’s growing popularity.

Sinner’s win came after a period of controversy earlier in the year when it was revealed he had tested positive twice for an anabolic agent in March. However, it avoided a ban as an independent tribunal ruled that the positive results were due to accidental contamination. The cloud of controversy descended upon him as the tournament began, but Sinner remained focused, determined to prove his prowess on the field.

Reflecting on his win, Sinner emphasized the mental toughness required in his performance. “We took it day by day, training well, even on rest days, and believing in ourselves, which is the most important thing. I learned, especially in this tournament, how crucial the mental aspect is in this sport,” he said.

Sinner also expressed his gratitude to the fans, adding: “I want to thank everyone for being so fair in this incredible arena. It was a great pleasure.”

Fritz struggled to find his rhythm early on, gifting Sinner a break with an unforced error in the very first game. However, the American recovered quickly, breaking in the fourth game and surviving a 23-shot rally to save a break point in the fifth. Despite this effort, Sinner regained control, breaking Fritz with a drop shot in the seventh game and eventually taking the first set.

With a fired-up home crowd, including pop star Taylor Swift, chanting “USA!” to lift Fritz’s spirits, Shiner stood firm. He broke Fritz in the set to claim the second set, further frustrating the American. In the third set, Fritz briefly held an advantage after Sinner broke, but the momentum quickly shifted when Fritz hit a volley at the net, allowing Sinner to break in the 10th game. Sinner broke Fritz once again, sealing the match as Fritz’s forehand found the net, giving Sinner his sixth break of the match.

Reflecting on his victory, Sinner said: “This title means so much to me because the last period of my career has been very difficult.” He celebrated by climbing into the stands to hug his team as fans chanted “Well done!” in approval.

During the post-match ceremony, which was attended by American tennis legend Andre Agassi, Fritz apologized to the crowd, stating: “I know we’ve been waiting for a champion for a long time, so I’m sorry I couldn’t do it. this time, but I’ll keep working, and hopefully, I’ll get it next time.”

Sinner’s victory capped off a remarkable year, having also won titles in Miami and Cincinnati. The world number one leaves New York with a 55-5 win-loss record, leaving opponents such as Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz behind.

“This season has brought so many important wins for me, starting with Australia, where I played so well and gained confidence,” Sinner reflected. “But the work never stops. I know there are still things I can improve on, as we saw today, but I’m proud of what I’ve achieved.”

The US Open concluded on Sunday after a blockbuster two-week run, with world number two Aryna Sabalenka defeating sixth-ranked Jessica Pegula on Saturday to claim the women’s title. Both the men’s and women’s finals capped an unforgettable tournament, one marked by record attendance and world-class tennis.