Jannik Sinner Clinches Australian Open Glory
Jannik Sinner made history by becoming the first Italian to win the Australian Open in the Open Era, delivering a dramatic comeback that stunned the Melbourne crowd. He defeated Daniil Medvedev in a long and epic final, with set scores of 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3, after nearly four hours on Rod Laver Arena.
Her potent forehand and reliable serve proved decisive in a long, hard-fought victory over an opponent who had reached three Melbourne finals and twice recovered from two sets down. The match echoed the resilience seen in past battles, including Nadal’s dramatic returns in 2022.
The sky over Melbourne was clear as Sinner sealed the title, marking a landmark achievement in his career and a historic moment for Italian tennis on the sport’s biggest stage.
Jannik Sinner wins the Australian Open in 2024, a historic moment for Eurosport coverage and fans around the world. This victory was celebrated across social media and by tennis outlets as a breakthrough win in the Open era.
Since the inception of the Open era in 1968, Sinner became the 27th champion of the tournament. He joined a select group whose names are etched on the Rod Laver Arena champions’ list, alongside legends who emerged in Melbourne over the decades. The record of most Australian Open titles remains led by players like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal, with only a few other names joining the hall in recent years. The trend of new champions continued with Sinner, signaling a changing guard in men’s tennis.
Russian Domination
Medvedev surprised Sinner with an aggressive, precise game plan from the start. The Russian stood firmly on the baseline, with a willingness to step forward and pressure the Italian, breaking early in the third game and forging a lead that suggested control of the match.
By the 36th minute, Medvedev had secured his second break and took the first set 6-3, establishing an early advantage and testing Sinner’s response under pressure.
Facing the Challenge
The Italian faced Medvedev’s efficient play, which featured a high first-serve percentage, several aces, and steady momentum. Sinner searched for solutions from his box as Medvedev’s rhythm kept him on the back foot, unable to find an immediate counter. The pattern of play highlighted Medvedev’s ability to stay composed and precise, applying relentless pressure across the court.
In a tense second set, Medvedev forced a string of breaks and put Sinner on the back foot. The Russian continued to break at pivotal moments, pushing the second set decisively in his favor. The match then shifted as Sinner confronted an unfamiliar rhythm and looked for a breakthrough to turn the tide in his favor.
Turnaround
With the match on the line, Sinner rose to the occasion. After a challenging start, his serve percentage improved, and he played with greater aggression and precision. The Italian began to manufacture chances, using smart court positioning and timely aggressive shots to level the score and seize control in the fourth set.
The momentum shifted again as Medvedev fought to maintain his lead, but Sinner’s belief did not waver. The Italian applied pressure on Medvedev’s serve, converting a critical breakpoint and pushing the match toward a decisive fifth set. Fatigue mounted, and both players endured long rallies, but Sinner’s persistence paid off as he secured a vital break to move ahead in the fifth set.
The fifth set unfolded with renewed intensity. Sinner started strong with a robust serve, maintaining pressure on Medvedev and leveraging accurate groundstrokes to force errors. Medvedev fought valiantly, but Sinner’s late surge proved too much, and the Italian closed out the match with a standout performance that showcased his growth and perseverance.
The victory was celebrated by fans worldwide as a breakthrough Grand Slam win for an Italian player. Medvedev offered his respect, congratulating Sinner on his first major title and suggesting there would be more opportunities in the future. The moment highlighted Sinner’s resilience and his emergence as a leading figure in contemporary tennis.
The win added a notable chapter to the history of Italian tennis, placing Sinner among Italy’s most successful Grand Slam champions. The list includes Nicola Pietrangeli, Adriano Panatta, Francesca Schiavone, and Flavia Pennetta, with Sinner joining their ranks at the Australian Open as the newest Grand Slam winner from Italy.
Race for No. 1
The title earned Sinner a substantial prize and valuable ranking points, moving him further in the pursuit of the world No. 1 spot. The standings reflected a highly competitive landscape, with Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and others in pursuit of the top seed and major championships at the season’s outset.
Grand Slam Milestones
- From Borg to Orantes at Roland Garros in 1975
- Lendl to McEnroe at Roland Garros in 1984
- From Agassi to Andrei Medvedev at Roland Garros in 1999
- From Gaudio to Coria at Roland Garros in 2004
- From Thiem to Zverev at the US Open in 2020
- From Djokovic to Tsitsipas at Roland Garros in 2021
- From Nadal to Medvedev at the Australian Open in 2022
- From Sinner to Medvedev at the Australian Open in 2024