Jannik Sinner continues to make his mark, achieving milestones at a rate rarely seen in men’s tennis.
By winning the Italian Open, the 24-year-old completed the ‘career Golden Masters.’ He beat Norway’s Casper Ruud in the Rome final.
Novak Djokovic is the only other man to achieve this feat.
Sinner’s Victory Over Ruud
Sinner secured a 6-4 6-4 victory. He recovered from an early break and used drop-shots to unpick Ruud. He then progressed through the second set.
Sinner has now won a record six Masters titles in a row.
“I’m really, really happy – it’s been an incredible last two and a half months,” said Sinner. He has also won the Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and Madrid Masters titles this season.
“There has been a lot of tension – especially here in the final. But it’s a learning process. I can’t know everything at 24 years old.”
Golden Masters at a Young Age
Sinner only won his first Masters title in 2023 at the Canadian Open.
Securing the clean sweep at a considerably younger age than Djokovic adds to the Italian’s accomplishment.
Djokovic was 31 when he won the 2018 Cincinnati Open, before repeating the feat aged 33 in 2020.
Britain’s former world number four Tim Henman said on Sky Sports: “With the level of competition, the physical and mental demands, changing surfaces, travelling the world, winning all these matches is incredible.”
He added: “It emphasises how complete a player Sinner is.”
Eyes on the French Open
After Rome, all roads now lead to Roland Garros. Sinner could create even more history at the upcoming French Open.
- Sinner has won four Grand Slam titles and 10 ATP Masters events before he has reached 25 years old.
- He has already claimed the Australian Open (twice), Wimbledon and the US Open.
Winning the French Open would see him become only the 10th man to complete the career Grand Slam.
With his generational rival Carlos Alcaraz injured, Sinner goes to Roland Garros as the heaviest favourite.