JANNIK WINNER
Sinner comes from two sets behind to down Dan
JANNIK SINNER staged a stunning comeback to win his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open and become the new young superstar of tennis.
The Italian, who came from two sets down to beat an exhausted Daniil Medvedev, ended his country’s 48-year wait for a male Grand Slam singles winner, the last being Adriano Panatta at the French Open.
World No.3 Medvedev (with Sinner, below) started superbly but the Russian has now lost three finals in Melbourne as he nears Andy Murray’s unwanted record of five.
Sinner, by contrast, recaptured the form which destroyed defending champion Novak Djokovic in the semis to win a heavyweight hitting final 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-3 in three hours and 44 minutes.
The redhead from northern Italy, who has a fan club called the Carota Boys, said: “It feels great. I’m extremely happy how I handled things today. The situation on court was very, very tough.
“It was great to have so much Italian support here. It felt like playing at home. There is always pressure but the pressure is something good. You have to take it in a good way. It’s a privilege, I like to dance in the pressure storm. It has been a hell of a journey even if I’m still only 22.” Over the last two years Sinner has rebuilt his coaching team – now led by Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill – and worked relentlessly to improve his technique, fitness and mentality.
“I think the best moment was when I went into the locker room to hug my people,” he said.
This was the first Australian Open men’s final since 2005 without any of Djokovic, Roger Federer or Rafa Nadal. Nick Kyrigos has dubbed Sinner the “New Novak” for his allcourt action style.
At 22 years and 165 days, he is the youngest man to win the title here since Djokovic in 2008, and he has joined Carlos Alcaraz as the second man born in the 2000s to win a Grand Slam title. Eurosport analyst Kyrigos said: “You
feel like this is the beginning of a very special journey. You can see more Grand Slams being added to that tally if he keeps playing like that.”
Sinner led Italy to the Davis Cup for the first time since 1976 in November and the hottest player on the planet has now won 20 of his past 21 tour-level matches – and 10 of his past 11 against top-five opponents.
He lost his first six matches against Medvedev but has now beaten him four times since October.
Medvedev was playing his sixth Grand Slam final and for the first time not facing either Djkovic or Nadal. But history still repeated itself as he lost a two-set lead, just like against Nadal in 2022.
“I didn’t think much about the Rafa match so I don’t think it had any effect,” he said. “This tournament he (Sinner) was the best player in the world, and that’s why he won this.”
The 2021 US Open winner – Medevev was crowned king of New York the year Britain’s Emma Raducanu became queen – played four five-set matches in Melbourne and spent 24 hours and 17 minutes on court, breaking the record of 23 hours and 40 minutes set by Alcaraz at the 2022 US Open.
“At least I got a record in something,” said the marathon man. “I’m in the history books for something.” Sinner is 5-1 third favourite, behind Alcaraz and Djokovic, for Wimbledon.