Sinner brings the lead to a golden year in Turin
The Italian won his first title in the Nitto ATP Finals
November 17, 2024
Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Through the ATP Editorial Board
If there was one thing left for Jannik Sinner this season, it was to be able to win the title at the Nitto ATP Finals in front of his home crowd. And that’s what he did this Sunday to end a dream season in which he will finish as Number 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings with eight trophies in his cabinet.
The Italian won the final of the Nitto ATP Finals against the No. 5 Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4, in one hour and 24 minutes, getting rid of last year’s thorn when he fell in the last round against Novak. Djokovic.
“It’s unbelievable, it’s my first title in Italy and it means a lot to me,” admitted Sinner, who has a 50-3 record on hard courts in 2024. “It’s something very special. I tried to understand what works best against each opponent, trying to play as well as possible. That was the key.”
Sinner ended the year with a bang winning 25 of his last 26 matches, losing only to Carlos Alcaraz in the final in Beijing, who finished with titles at the Australian Open, Rotterdam, Miami, Halle, Cincinnati, US Open, Shanghai and Games Nitto ATP Finals.
In addition, the Italian is one of the privileged seven who had the opportunity to lift the trophy in the prestigious end-of-season competition at home. Britain’s Andy Murray had done it for the last time in London 2016, but five other players had also done it before.
Local champions at the Nitto ATP Finals
Jannik Sinner (Torino, 2024)
Andy Murray (London 2016)
Lleyton Hewitt (Sydney 2001)
Boris Becker (Frankfurt, 1992, 1995)
Michael Stich (1993)
John McEnroe (New York 1978, 1983-84)
Jimmy Connors (New York 1977)
Sinner also ensured that he ends the season as the player with the most number of games won, raising his number of victories to 70.
More wins in 2024:
Jannik sinner: 70
Alexander Zverev: 69
Carlos Alcaraz: 53
Taylor Fritz: 52
Casper Ruud: 51
This was the third time Sinner and Fritz met on the road in just three months. They had already played the final of the US Open and this same week in a tournament corresponding to the Ilie Nastase Group, and always the same result. The last round in Turin did not change the sign and allowed the Italians to extend the Lexus ATP Head2Head to 4-1.
Fritz started the match holding the pulse at a sin, very confident in his serve to keep the tie to 3-3. Until the Italians realized it was time to add one more gear and push the rest. He put 15/40, but the American resisted. Also in a new option to break the advantage. Until the break came in the fourth.
Sinner confirmed the gap on the scoreboard with a blank game on his serve (5-3) and, despite the American threatening to extend the first set with his first break point at 5-4, 40/A, closed the World No. in 41 minutes 6-4.
The Italians gave Fritz the only chance to take hold of the game, but he was unable to do so. Sin raised his records for serving to 14 aces and won 82% of the points with hundred scores. With that level – and one more break in the fifth game of the second set – he won the title in the Nitto ATP Finals.
Did you know that…?
Jannik Sinner became the first Italian to win the Nitto ATP Finals title and the first to do so without dropping a set since Ivan Lendl in 1986.
– How does winning a major title at home affect an athlete’s performance and confidence?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Tennis Expert on Jannik Sinner’s Historic Win at the Nitto ATP Finals
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good day, everyone! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with tennis expert, Dr. Elena Rossi, who has been following the sport for over two decades. We’re here to discuss Jannik Sinner’s remarkable victory at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. Elena, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Elena Rossi (ER): Thank you for having me! I’m excited to talk about Jannik’s incredible achievement.
TNE: Let’s dive right into it. Jannik Sinner has finished 2024 in spectacular fashion by winning his first title at the Nitto ATP Finals in front of a home crowd. Why is this victory particularly significant for him?
ER: This win is monumental for Sinner for several reasons. Firstly, it’s his first major title at home in Italy, which adds an emotional layer to the victory. Athletes often express a special affinity for winning in front of their home crowd, and for Sinner, Turin is where he has deep personal ties. Additionally, after losing in the finals last year to Djokovic, this win not only allows him to put that disappointment behind him but also solidifies his status as the top player in the world by ending the year ranked No. 1.
TNE: Absolutely, and what a year it has been for him! He ended the season with an impressive record of 70 victories. What do you think contributed to his success throughout 2024?
ER: Sinner’s 2024 performance can be attributed to a combination of factors. His sheer talent and dedication are clear, but what truly stands out is his strategic approach to each match. He mentioned understanding what works best against different opponents – that’s a mark of a mature player who has learned from previous experiences. Moreover, his resilience is evident; winning 25 of his last 26 matches shows not only technical skill but mental fortitude.
TNE: That’s incredible! He had notable wins over top players throughout the year, including titles at prestigious events like the Australian Open and the US Open. How does this position him among tennis greats?
ER: Winning titles at major tournaments places Sinner among the elite in the sport at a young age. The fact that he has matched up against other top players like Carlos Alcaraz, and even faced setbacks, has only added to his growth. He’s now joining the ranks of players like Andy Murray and Lleyton Hewitt, who have also won the Nitto ATP Finals in front of their home fans. This creates a narrative that makes his career trajectory particularly exciting!
TNE: Interestingly, Sinner stands as one of only a few players to have lifted the trophy at the Nitto ATP Finals at home. What does this legacy mean for him moving forward?
ER: It’s a significant legacy! Being part of that small group gives Sinner a historic standing in tennis. It elevates his profile not just in Italy but internationally. Such achievements can serve as motivation and validation for athletes, especially when building their confidence. It is crucial for him in the coming years as he navigates the pressures of maintaining his ranking and handling expectations.
TNE: Lastly, with his current form and accolades, do you see Jannik Sinner continuing this momentum into 2025?
ER: If he maintains his training regimen and stays injury-free, there’s no reason he can’t continue this momentum. A consistent focus on mental and physical fitness will be key to his ongoing success. I think we can expect more thrilling performances from him in the upcoming season. He seems to be just getting started!
TNE: Thank you, Elena. Your insights on Sinner’s victory and his anticipated future in tennis have been enlightening. We look forward to seeing what the new season holds for him!
ER: Thank you, it was a pleasure discussing this with you!
TNE: Thank you to our listeners for joining us today. Stay tuned for more updates and insights on the world of tennis!