Jannik Sinner has made a perfect start to the 2024 season, winning all 12 matches and lifting trophies at the Australian Open and Rotterdam. World no. 3 conquered his first Major crown in Melbourne, fulfilling his potential and earning his spot among tennis immortals. The Italian stayed grounded following a massive success, sticking to his daily routines and not thinking about his success but what was ahead. Jannik claimed the title on Sunday and flew to Italy on Monday, hitting the gym in Rome on Tuesday and meeting the country’s officials. Sinner left the Australian Open trophy with his manager, thinking more about the improvements and why he lost the opening two sets against Daniil Medvedev in the title clash.
Jannik Sinner© Daniel Pockett / Stringer Getty Images Sport
Jannik became one of the world’s best players in the second part of 2023, reaching the Wimbledon semi-final and lifting a Masters 1000 trophy in Toronto. The Italian lost only two matches after the US Open, lifting trophies in Beijing and Vienna and leading Italy toward their first Davis Cup crown since 1976! Another important note for Jannik was his two wins over world no. 1 Novak Djokovic at the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup Finals, gathering confidence for what would come in 2024. Sinner made a reliable start at the Australian Open and reached the semi-final without losing a set, beating Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev and setting a thrilling clash against the defending champion Novak Djokovic.
It was their third encounter within two months, and the young gun was ready for the most formidable challenge. Jannik ousted Novak 6-1, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3 in three hours and 22 minutes, delivering the Serb’s first Melbourne Park loss since 2018! Sinner produced a rock-solid performance from start to finish, keeping Djokovic away from break points for the first time in completed matches at Majors. Novak sprayed over 50 unforced errors, losing the opening two sets in no time and suffering five breaks from 11 chances offered to his opponent.
Jannik Sinner remained grounded after claiming his first Major title.
Jannik Sinner© Daniel Pockett / Stringer Getty Images Sport
The Italian forged a massive advantage in the shortest range up to four strokes, a rare scene against the Serb in recent years. Jannik made an impressive start, delivering four breaks in the opening two sets and keeping Novak without a chance. With no room for errors, world no. 1 saved a break point at the beginning of the third set and reached a tie break. The veteran saved a match point and stole the breaker 8-6 to reduce the overall deficit and keep himself in contention. Jannik left that setback behind and made a fresh start in the fourth set. The Italian served well and clinched a break in the fifth game, moving in front and wrapping up an impressive victory with a forehand down the line winner in the ninth game, reaching his first Major final.
Jannik had to work hard against the more experienced Daniil Medvedev, performing an incredible comeback and beating the Russian 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 for his first Major trophy at 22. Sinner stayed composed despite an enormous deficit, launching his comeback in the closing stages of the third set and crossing the finish line first, becoming Italy’s first champion in Melbourne. There was nothing to separate them, with four breaks on each side and one point more on Jannik’s tally. Daniil made a reliable start, serving well in the opening set and breaking Jannik two times. Medvedev stole almost half of the return points in the second set, securing two breaks and edging closer to his second Major title.
Jannik Sinner© Kelly Defina / Stringer Getty Images Sport
They stayed close to each other in the third set, with Sinner raising his level behind the initial shot. The young gun held after deuce in the ninth game and delivered a break in game ten, wrapping up the set 6-4 and reducing the deficit. Medvedev had a massive chance to build the lead in the seventh game of the fourth set, spraying a backhand error at 30-0 and wasting a break chance. Sinner survived that obstacle and grabbed a break in the tenth game, forcing a decider after three hours and six minutes and gaining confidence.
After five good holds in the final set, Jannik stepped in and landed a forehand winner for a crucial break and a 4-2 lead. Sinner confirmed the advantage with a service winner in game seven, forcing Medvedev to serve to stay in the match. The Russian landed a volley winner in the eighth game, reducing the deficit and needing a late break to stay alive. Instead, Jannik made no mistakes while serving for the win at 5-3, firing a forehand down the line winner and celebrating his first Major title at 22.
Jannik Sinner© Kelly Defina / Stringer Getty Images Sport
“I played the Australian final on a Sunday. I flew to Italy the following day and went to the gym on Tuesday. I did not celebrate too much because drinking is not good for the body. We went to eat and returned to the hotel. I left the trophy with my manager. Thinking about the final and improvements was more important. I asked myself why I dropped the opening two sets and why I did not react sooner,” Jannik Sinner said.
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