MELBOURNE, Australia — Jannik Sinner showcased his remarkable dominance over Alexander Zverev on Sunday, securing a clear 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory that earned him a second consecutive title at the Australian Open. Beyond the final score, various statistics highlighted Sinner’s superiority throughout the match. Notably, he did not face any break points while creating ten opportunities for himself. Sinner also had a significant edge in points lasting at least nine strokes, winning 27 to Zverev’s 13. Furthermore, he hit more winners (32 to 25) and committed fewer unforced errors (27 to 45). His prowess at the net was evident, winning 10 out of 13 points at the net, compared to Zverev’s 14 out of 27 attempts, as Sinner repeatedly delivered impressive passing shots.
Zverev acknowledged Sinner’s superiority in an honest assessment, stating, “I’m serving better than him, but that’s it. He does everything else better than me. He moves better than me. He hits his forehand better than me. He hits his backhand better than me. He returns better than me. He volleys better than me,” adding that Sinner’s overall skills were the reason for his win. Such compliments from the world No. 2 indicate just how dominant Sinner has become, maintaining the No. 1 ranking since June without any signs of giving it up. This final marked the first time since 2019 that the top two players faced off at the Australian Open, when Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal.
Sinner expressed elation at his achievements, stating, “It’s amazing to achieve these things.” His accomplishments now include being the youngest player to win back-to-back Australian Open titles since Jim Courier in the early 1990s and the first man since Rafael Nadal to defend his Grand Slam title in consecutive years. When asked how he felt upon winning, Sinner described the moment as joyful, noting, “This one was joy. We managed to do something incredible this time, because the situation I was in was completely different from a year ago here. I had more pressure.”
As he looks ahead to 2024, Sinner reflects on an impressive record, having won three major tournaments in the last five events, including the U.S. Open. His overall performance has left him at 80 wins and six losses, claiming nine titles and an active winning streak of 21 matches. His coach, Simone Vagnozzi, noted, “There’s always something that can get better. He is playing really well right now and everything comes easily. But there will be tough moments ahead.”
The past year included controversy for Sinner involving a doping case, which remains under review. He was initially cleared after testing positive for a trace amount of an anabolic steroid last March, attributing it to accidental exposure from his team members, who have since been dismissed. A hearing regarding the World Anti-Doping Agency’s appeal is scheduled for April. Sinner confidently asserted, “I keep playing like this because I have a clear mind on what happened. I know if I would be guilty, I would not play like this.”
In contrast to Sinner’s success, Zverev finds himself in an unfortunate position, becoming the seventh player in Open Era history to start 0-3 in Grand Slam finals. His previous losses occurred at the 2020 U.S. Open and the 2022 French Open, both of which were five-set battles. However, this match was a different story, with Sinner exhibiting clear control throughout the encounter.
Despite Zverev’s determination to improve and “lift one of those trophies,” he faced a unique level of pressure during the match. The only significant moment of tension transpired when Zverev was two points from winning the second set at 5-4, but he couldn’t capitalize on his opportunities. In contrast to the previous year, where Sinner faced intense challenges to secure his first major title, this time, he took a commanding lead from the outset.
Sinner’s comprehensive approach left Zverev visibly frustrated, as he struggled with his performance, seen sulking to the sidelines, disheartened by the situation, or even damaging his racket in moments of exasperation. The stark contrast in their performances spoke volumes, with Zverev noting, “The facts speak for themselves. He’s in a different universe right now.”
