World No. 1 tennis star, Jannik Sinner, captured his second grand slam title on Sunday by defeating American Taylor Fritz in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5, to win the US Open.
The match took place at the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium, where the 23-year-old Italian extended his impressive winning streak to 11 matches.
For Fritz, ranked world No. 12, the final presented a golden opportunity to end a 21-year drought for American men’s tennis at grand slam events.
The last American to lift a grand slam trophy was Andy Roddick, who secured the US Open title in 2003.
Roddick, a notable presence in the stadium that day, had been the last man to carry the hopes of a nation at this level. His victory two decades ago remains the most recent triumph by a male American at a grand slam.
Sinner’s road to victory has been remarkable this year, beginning with his maiden grand slam triumph at the Australian Open in January.
His US Open win cements his place in Italian tennis history, making him only the second Italian singles champion at the tournament, joining Flavia Pennetta, who won the women’s singles title in 2015.
Reflecting on his win, an emotional Sinner said, “This title for me means so much because the last period of my career was really not easy. There is my team who supports me every day, the people who are close to me. I love tennis. I practice a lot for this kind of stages, but I also realize that off the court there is a life.”
Sinner also made a heartfelt dedication, sharing that his aunt’s deteriorating health weighed heavily on him.
“I would like to dedicate this title to my aunt, because she really is not feeling well, health-wise. I don’t know how much I still have her in my life. It’s so nice that I can share a positive moment still with her. … If there would be the biggest wish, I would wish the best health to everyone, but unfortunately, it’s not possible.”
Fritz, 26, had been seeking to become the first American to win a major title since Roddick’s US Open triumph. His journey to the final marked a major personal breakthrough, as he had never advanced past the quarterfinals at a grand slam before this tournament.
Notably, Fritz reached the final by defeating fellow American Frances Tiafoe in a dramatic semifinal match, where he battled back from a two-sets-to-one deficit.
Speaking to the crowd after his loss, Fritz expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support he received throughout the tournament.
“Being an American, at the US Open, it’s just incredible feeling the love all week,” he said. “Thank you so much. I know we’ve been waiting for a champion for a long time, so I’m sorry I couldn’t get it done this time. But I’m going to keep working, and hopefully I’ll get it the next time.”
While Sinner appeared dominant in the first two sets, the third set saw a shift in momentum. Fritz, buoyed by the raucous New York crowd, gained a 5-3 lead as Sinner’s level dipped. However, the American was unable to close out the set, allowing Sinner to regroup and win the final four games to secure the title.
Sinner’s US Open victory comes in the wake of a challenging period in his career, marked by a doping controversy that surfaced on August 20.
The Italian had twice tested positive for traces of the banned substance Clostebol, though he avoided suspension. Sinner maintained his innocence, explaining that the positive results stemmed from an unintentional contamination during treatment by his former physiotherapist. Tennis authorities ruled that Sinner bore “no fault or negligence.”
2024 grand slam season has marked a changing of the guard in men’s tennis, as it is the first time since 2002 that none of the sport’s “Big Three” – Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, or the now-retired Roger Federer – have won a major. In 2024, the grand slam titles were divided between Sinner and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, with Alcaraz claiming victories at the French Open and Wimbledon.
Notably, Djokovic was knocked out in the third round of the US Open by Australian Alexei Popyrin, while Nadal did not participate.
The final also drew its share of celebrity attention, with notable figures such as Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Patrick and Brittany Mahomes, Matthew McConaughey, Martha Stewart, Noah Lyles, and Elon Musk all in attendance to witness the high-stakes contest.
For Sinner, this victory represents not just another accolade, but a testament to his resilience and determination through adversity. With two grand slams already to his name, the future looks increasingly bright for the Italian star.
