Jannik Sinner made his first visit to the famous Colosseum as a real conqueror, bringing the Australian Open trophy with him! The 22-year-old Sinner ascended to tennis glory on Sunday, becoming a Major champion in Melbourne. Jannik emerged as the epitome of a tennis gladiator at the Australian Open, triumphing over three top-10 rivals and etching his name into the annals of history. Returning to Italy, he basked in well-deserved glory, meeting with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday and extending his stay in Rome for further honors in the coming days. Departing the battleground of Rod Laver Arena, Sinner carried the prestigious Norman Brookes Challenge Cup to the Colosseum. In a symbolic gesture, he visited the national monument for the first time, standing proudly as a modern gladiator of our beloved sport.
Jannik Sinner, Colosseum 2024© Facebook – Jannik Sinner
The Italian played well in the second part of 2023, reaching the Wimbledon semi-final before conquering the Canada Masters. Jannik went on to win Beijing and Vienna before defeating Novak Djokovic at the ATP Finals. Two rivals met again in the title clash, and the Serb served revenge with a 6-3, 6-3 victory. Jannik missed that notable title but won another a week later, leading Italy toward their first Davis Cup triumph in 47 years! Sinner saved three match points versus Djokovic in the semi-final, gathering a massive boost of confidence ahead of the Australia Open. Jannik made a reliable start at Melbourne Park, beating five rivals in straight sets and reaching the semi-final over Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev.
Sinner met Djokovic for the fifth time within two months and scored a 6-1, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3 victory in three hours and 22 minutes. Thus, Jannik dethroned a ten-time Australian Open champion and became the first player with a win over Novak in Melbourne after the quarter-final stage. Novak played miles below his best in sets one, two and four, creating no break chances for the first time in completed matches at Majors! The Italian served at 58%, and no one could notice that. He dropped 27 points behind the initial shot and kept the Serb away from break points, allowing him to reach only a couple of deuces. Djokovic could not follow that pace outside the third set, playing against 11 break points and giving serve away five times, enough to propel Sinner over the top.
Jannik Sinner brought the Australian Open trophy to the Colosseum.
Novak lost the ground completely in the shortest range up to four strokes, a rare scene in his matches in recent years. Also, the defending champion sprayed over 50 unforced errors, labeling his performance as one of the worst at Majors! The young gun made a reliable start, delivering four breaks in the opening two sets and leaving the veteran miles behind. The clock showed an hour and 13 minutes when the Italian forged a 6-1, 6-2 advantage, dominating a 24-time Major winner and moving closer to the finish line. With his back pushed against the wall, Djokovic raised his level in his games in the third set, surviving an early scare and reaching a tie break. Novak denied a match point and stole the breaker 8-6, extending the battle and his chances.
Jannik Sinner, Colosseum 2024© Facebook – Jannik Sinner
Looking like a man on a mission, Jannik left that setback behind in no time, serving well in the fourth set and pressuring Novak. Sinner clinched a decisive break in the fifth game, moving in front and firing a forehand down the line winner on serve at 5-3 to emerge at the top and celebrate his career-best victory. The celebration was short, though, as the Italian met world no. 3 Daniil Medvedev in the title clash two days later. The 22-year-old competed in his first Major final and faced the ultimate task after dropping the opening two sets. However, he stayed composed and overpowered the more experienced rival 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in three hours and 45 minutes, lifting his first Major trophy and writing history.
Jannik sealed the deal in three hours and 44 minutes, winning one point more than Daniil and delivering his four breaks in the pivotal moments. Medvedev played well in the opening two sets, moving closer to his second Major title. The Russian reached deuce on the return at 4-4 in the third set and missed a routine backhand at 30-0 on the return in the seventh game of the fourth set, blowing an opportunity to create three break points. Sinner made a fresh start after the second set, never losing serve again and keeping the pressure on the other side. The Italian held after deuce in the ninth game of the third set and grabbed his first break in the next one to launch his comeback.
Jannik Sinner, Australian Open 2024© Julian Finney / Staff – Getty Images Sport
Jannik survived that seventh game of the fourth set, denying a break chance with an ace and holding for 4-3. The young gun clinched a break in game ten, leveling the overall score after three hours and six minutes and gaining a massive boost of confidence. Medvedev stayed in touch early in the decider before Sinner turned the tables in game six. The Italian clinched a decisive break with a forehand winner, moving 4-2 in front and putting one hand on the trophy. Jannik extended the gap with a service winner in game seven, and Medvedev reduced the deficit to 5-3 with a volley winner in the next one. Sinner served for his first Major title in game nine and fired a forehand down the line winner that sealed the deal for him.
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