World No 1 Jannik Sinner defeated American Taylor Fritz 6-4 6-4 in Sunday’s showpiece to win the ATP Finals title in entrance of his house followers in Turin.
House favorite Sinner, who received the Australian Open and the US Open this yr, grew to become the primary Italian to win the match.
Sinner additionally grew to become the primary participant to win the season-ending title with out dropping a set because the legendary Ivan Lendl in 1986.
“It’s amazing. It’s been an amazing week – my first title in Italy and it’s something very, very special,” mentioned Sinner.
“I attempted to play the absolute best tennis I can. That was the important thing.
“It was a very high-level tournament from my side and at times I couldn’t play better so I’m very happy.”
The Italian has acquired higher and higher because the season has gone on, regardless of the doping case hanging over his head that might nonetheless result in a suspension.
His victory over fifth seed Fritz made it 26 wins from his final 27 matches, a run that included his second Grand Slam title of the yr on the US Open, two Masters 1000 trophies and now the ATP Finals having already received the Australian Open at the beginning of 2024.
He had already crushed Fritz within the group stage and, regardless of one other aggressive encounter, it was the Italian who once more got here out on high within the decisive moments.
He took a fourth likelihood to interrupt serve at 3-3 earlier than clinching the opening set, and one other break within the fifth sport of the second was sufficient to finish the job.
Fritz was the primary American to achieve the singles closing since James Blake in 2006 and was aiming to grow to be the primary US champion this century however, as within the US Open closing, he discovered Sinner an immovable impediment.
The 23-year-old celebrated in entrance of the jubilant house crowd, and the yr may but have another excessive, with Sinner set to go to Malaga, the place he’ll try to assist Italy efficiently defend the Davis Cup title.
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A delighted Sinner instructed Tim Henman it was very particular to win the ATP finals in Turin, because the Italian capped off an outstanding 2024
Talking to Sky Sports activities’ Tim Henman, Sinner mentioned: “It was a very special event – very important from my side. I know the season I’ve had.
“I acquired right here one week early attempting to know the velocity of the court docket, attempting to work out what works finest for me right here, so it is a very particular feeling, particular second.
“I played some very, very good tennis throughout this whole week and at times I couldn’t have played better.
“I am very comfortable how I dealt with each state of affairs on and off the court docket. Sharing this really feel is wonderful.”
Asked if he surprised himself with the consistency of his performances, Sinner said: “Sure, actually, I’ve shocked myself the entire yr at instances, however in my thoughts I understand how a lot work I put in and what number of sacrifices I’ve made to be on this place.
“I just try to play in the present moment.”
Sinner’s stellar season
‘From Australia onwards, it was simply outrageous tennis’
Laura Robson on Sky Sports activities Tennis
“Unsurprising [he won it] considering how well he’s played all week, how he’s played all year, when you think back to Australia. That gave him the belief that he could do it at a Grand Slam and from then on it was just outrageous tennis.”
“Sinner has won 70 matches this year. He has lost six and he’s won a set in EVERY single match that he’s played in 2024.
“That is nearly extraordinary! Novak Djokovic might be the one participant we have seen have a season like this the place you look simply unbeatable the place gamers look misplaced towards you, the place they really feel like they have to overplay and so they get so few possibilities in a match.
“It’s so impressive because he doesn’t have the dips.”
Henman: It is a assertion to the remainder of the boys’s tour
“From start to finish there’s been no lapses. In Australia he took his first Grand Slam title and then he’s kept building. He’s kept getting better and better and the confidence from that on every surface,” mentioned Henman, a six-time Grand Slam semi-finalist.
“The huge challenges he’s faced with the positive drugs test and then to round it off at home having already secured the No 1 ranking, but to play these five matches against the other top seven players in the world having not dropped more than four games in a set – it’s a statement to the rest of the men’s tour.”
ATP Finals contract with Italy prolonged for 5 extra years
Sinner will likely be aiming to defend his season-ending ATP Finals title subsequent yr…
The ATP Finals will stay in Italy by 2030, ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi has introduced in the course of the trophy ceremony.
Gaudenzi didn’t specify if the match would stay in Turin or transfer to Milan and a brand new enviornment being constructed for ice hockey on the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.
The Milan enviornment ought to have a capability of greater than 16,000 for tennis – offering 4,000 extra seats than the Inalpi enviornment in Turin.
Sky Sports activities+ has formally launched and will likely be built-in into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities clients entry to over 50 per cent extra reside sport this yr at no additional price. Discover out extra right here.
