World No. 1 Jannik Sinner solidified his dominance in the tennis world by defending his Australian Open title, defeating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 in a clinical display. Sinner, who also holds the US Open title, now stands as the premier hardcourt player of his generation.
Unlike his dramatic comeback in last year’s final, where he rallied from two sets down, Sinner outclassed the world No. 2 in straight sets.
The match, lasting two hours and 42 minutes, saw the Italian stave off all break-point opportunities while showcasing his efficient baseline game.
The win extends Sinner’s remarkable streak to 21 consecutive matches and cements his place in tennis history as the first Italian to win three Grand Slam singles titles.
Sinner’s consistency as World No. 1 is unmatched, equaling a record set by Bjorn Borg and Jimmy Connors with 47 wins in his first 50 matches since ascending to the top of the rankings.
However, Sinner’s dominance is overshadowed by lingering controversies. In March, he tested positive for an anabolic steroid, but a ruling of “no fault or negligence” allowed him to continue competing. The World Anti-Doping Agency’s appeal, set for April, could still result in a suspension.
Meanwhile, Zverev’s participation in the tournament also came with controversy. Last year, he resolved allegations of domestic abuse against his former partner in an out-of-court settlement with no admission of guilt.
The Rod Laver Arena lacked its usual fervour for the Australia Day final, partly due to Novak Djokovic’s absence after retiring injured in his semifinal match.
The much-anticipated showdown between Sinner and Zverev also fell short of excitement, as the Italian executed a near-flawless game plan, leaving little room for drama.
Zverev, now the sixth man in tennis history to lose his first three Grand Slam finals, struggled to challenge Sinner’s precision and fitness.
Despite working with fitness coach Jez Green, who helped Andy Murray breakthrough at Wimbledon in 2013, Zverev failed to create meaningful scoreboard pressure or capitalise on Sinner’s physical struggles in previous rounds.
The win reaffirms Sinner’s grip on men’s tennis, particularly on hardcourts. With Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic as potential threats, the 23-year-old Italian remains the player to beat in 2024.
