Sinner becomes first Italian to win US Open title

Fritz’s quest for US Open glory ended, but record 1,048,669 fans celebrated an unforgettable tournament experience

NEW YORK:

Jannik Sinner delivered a commanding performance of baseline power, becoming the first Italian man to win the US Open with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 victory over American Taylor Fritz in the final on Sunday. This win marked Sinner's second Grand Slam title, following his Australian Open triumph earlier in the year.

Despite strong support from home fans hoping to see Fritz end the 21-year US men's Grand Slam title drought, Sinner’s dominance was clear, and he lifted the trophy amidst cheers at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The US Open this year attracted more than a million fans over three weeks of both qualifying and main draw play, a record attendance for the final Grand Slam of the year, according to the United States Tennis Association (USTA).

 A total of 1,048,669 spectators passed through the gates of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, an 8% increase over 2023. The record included 832,640 attendees for the two weeks of main draw matches, further solidifying the tournament's growing popularity.

Sinner’s victory came after a period of controversy earlier in the year when it was revealed that he had twice tested positive for an anabolic agent in March. However, he avoided a ban as an independent tribunal ruled the positive results were due to accidental contamination. The cloud of controversy hung over him as the tournament began, but Sinner remained focused, determined to prove his prowess on the court.

Reflecting on his win, Sinner highlighted the mental resilience required in his performance. "We took it day by day, practising well, even on rest days, and believing in ourselves, which is the most important. I learned, especially in this tournament, how crucial the mental aspect is in this sport," he said.

Sinner also expressed his gratitude to the fans, adding, "I want to thank everyone for being so fair in this incredible arena. It has been a huge pleasure."

Fritz struggled to find his rhythm early on, gifting Sinner a break with an unforced error in the very first game. However, the American quickly recovered, breaking back in the fourth game and surviving a 23-shot rally to save a break point in the fifth. Despite this effort, Sinner regained control, breaking Fritz with a drop shot in the seventh game and eventually taking the first set.

With a fired-up home crowd, including pop star Taylor Swift, chanting "USA!" to lift Fritz’s spirits, Sinner remained unshaken. He broke Fritz on set point to claim the second set, further frustrating the American. In the third set, Fritz briefly held an advantage after breaking Sinner, but the momentum quickly shifted when Fritz hit a volley into the net, allowing Sinner to break back in the 10th game. Sinner broke Fritz once more, sealing the match as Fritz's forehand found the net, giving Sinner his sixth break of the match.

Reflecting on his victory, Sinner said, "This title means so much to me because the last period of my career has been really tough." He celebrated by climbing into the stands to embrace his team as fans chanted "Bravo!" in approval.

During the post-match ceremony, which featured American tennis legend Andre Agassi, Fritz apologised to the home crowd, stating, "I know we've been waiting for a champion for a long time, so I'm sorry I couldn’t do it this time. But I’ll keep working, and hopefully, I’ll get it next time."

Sinner’s victory capped a remarkable year, having also won titles in Miami and Cincinnati. The world number one leaves New York with a 55-5 win-loss record, leaving rivals such as Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz trailing behind.

"This season has brought so many significant wins for me, starting with Australia, where I played so well and gained confidence," Sinner reflected. "But the work never stops. I know there are still things I can improve on, as we saw today, but I am proud of what I’ve achieved."

The US Open wrapped up on Sunday after a blockbuster two weeks, with world number two Aryna Sabalenka defeating sixth-seed Jessica Pegula on Saturday to claim the women's title. Both the men's and women's finals capped off an unforgettable tournament, one marked by record-breaking attendance and world-class tennis.