- Jannik Sinner ended 2024 with another title after beating American Taylor Fritz
- The 23-year-old’s latest victory comes with a doping case over his head
A strange year for Jannik Sinner had a fairytale ending as he won the ATP Finals in Turin, serenaded to the title by his adoring Italian fans.
The world No1 has two Slams under his belt in 2024 and a doping case over his head: World Anti-Doping have appealed to CAS, contesting the Tennis Integrity Agency’s decision to fully clear Sinner of fault for the two failed test in March and asking for a ban.
But for now the 23-year-old is free to play and how he is playing. With Carlos Alcaraz out of sorts this autumn he has become comfortably the best player in the world. He beat Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday in a repeat of the US Open final.
“It’s amazing – it’s my first title in Italy and it means so much to me,” said Sinner. “It’s very special. It was a very high level tournament from my side. At times I couldn’t have played better, so I am very happy.”
He had already beaten Fritz in the group stage and, despite another competitive encounter, it was the Italian who again came out on top in the decisive moments.
He took a fourth chance to break serve at 3-3 before clinching the opening set, and another break in the fifth game of the second was enough to complete the job.
Fritz was the first American to reach the singles final since James Blake in 2006 and was aiming to become the first US champion this century but, as in the US Open final, he found Sinner an immovable obstacle.
He will take positive feelings into 2025, though, saying: “It’s been a really good week for me, it’s a good way to end the year. Gives me a lot of confidence finishing the season. I feel like I have a good idea of what things I need to improve on, but I also feel like I’m playing very good tennis.”
Sinner celebrated in front of the jubilant home crowd, and the year could yet have one more high, with the 23-year-old set to head to Malaga, where he will attempt to help Italy successfully defend the Davis Cup title.
The ATP announced, meanwhile, that the ATP Finals will stay in Italy for five more years, although the tournament could move to a different city.
