World No. 1 Jannik Sinner successfully defended his Australian Open title on Sunday, defeating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3 to claim his third career Grand Slam victory. The 23-year-old Italian continues to dominate the men’s tour, solidifying his position as the world’s top player.
Sinner, who won his first Grand Slam just over a year ago, has now become the first Italian player to secure three major titles—two at the Australian Open and one at the US Open. His victory in Melbourne Park further extends his remarkable unbeaten run to 21 matches.
In the final, Sinner showcased his consistency and precision, maintaining control throughout the match. He didn’t concede a single break point, becoming only the fourth male player in the past 35 years to achieve this feat in a Grand Slam final.
“Defending the title is always different. You have this extra pressure, but I always enjoy it,” Sinner told Eurosport after the match. “I felt like I was hitting the ball well and playing aggressively. I served very well today, and that made the difference.”
Zverev, who was appearing in his third Grand Slam final, praised Sinner’s performance, calling him “the best player in the world by far.” Despite the German’s efforts, his forehand errors and inability to capitalize on key moments left him searching for his elusive first major title.
Sinner’s victory comes amid lingering controversy surrounding a positive test for Clostebol, a banned steroid, last year. The International Tennis Integrity Agency cleared him of fault in August, attributing the incident to inadvertent exposure. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency has appealed the decision, with a hearing set for April 16.
Despite the controversy, Sinner has remained focused, and his on-court performances have been exceptional. His win in Melbourne adds to a growing legacy as one of the sport’s most promising stars.
In the opening set, Sinner’s impenetrable serve and relentless baseline play overwhelmed Zverev, who committed 12 unforced errors. Sinner dropped just six points on his serve during the set, putting constant pressure on the German.
The second set saw Zverev improve his groundstrokes and hold serve to force a tie-break. A stunning 21-shot rally brought the crowd to life, but Sinner’s precise passing shots and consistent play allowed him to claim the tie-break and take a commanding two-set lead.
From there, Zverev’s energy faded, and Sinner cruised through the third set to seal the victory, becoming the youngest man in 32 years to win back-to-back Australian Open titles.
With three Grand Slam titles and the world No. 1 ranking, Sinner’s career is on an upward trajectory. While the upcoming doping appeal looms, his focus on the court remains unshaken.
For Zverev, the loss marks another missed opportunity to break through in a Grand Slam final. However, his resilience and talent suggest it’s only a matter of time before he finds success on the biggest stage.
Sinner’s triumph in Melbourne cements his status as the dominant force in men’s tennis, and fans eagerly await what’s next for the young Italian star.