Jannik Sinner Clinches First Grand Slam Title with Stunning Comeback in Australian Open Final

(CTN News) – Jannik Sinner won the Grand Slam title he had long sought with an incredible comeback victory over Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open final.

Jannik Sinner, 22, of Italy, trailed by two sets before coming back to win 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-3 in his first major final.

Fourth seed. Jannik Sinner struggled at first to keep up with the Russian’s pace, but he eventually established himself.

It was yet another painful experience for Medvedev, who had lost a two-set lead against Rafael Nadal in the 2022 final.

Sinner’s semi-final victory over 10-time winner Novak Djokovic secured a first-time Melbourne champion.

After a dramatic match lasting nearly four hours, Sinner ensured his name is on the trophy, fulfilling the potential that many prophesied would lead to a Grand Slam victory.

“It feels wonderful. Sinner told Australia’s Channel Nine, “I just have to process it and see how it feels for the first time.”

“It has been a hell of a journey even if I’m still only 22.”

Medvedev, 27, has lost five of his six major finals, including matches against Djokovic in 2021 and Nadal in 2022 at Melbourne Park.

Sinner sealed the match with a forehand winner down the line, collapsing to his back on the baseline in ecstasy.

Medvedev walked across the net to convey his congrats before Jannik Sinner banged his chest on his way to celebrate with his teammates.

Medvedev, who was distraught as he sat in his chair trying to digest the setback, managed to give a thumbs-up to the crowd as they praised his efforts.

“It hurts to lose in the final, but being in the final is probably better than losing before,” said Medvedev, who established a Grand Slam tournament record of 24 hours and 17 minutes on court.

“I always want to win and I guess I have to try harder next time.”

Jannik Sinner was thrust to the centre of discussion when it came to Grand Slam champions in 2024, following a sensational finish to last season.

A ceiling-breaking ATP 1000 triumph in Toronto, big wins over the greatest players, and propelling Italy to Davis Cup victory all contributed to his optimism that he will achieve even greater success this season.

Jannik Sinner accomplished this feat at the year’s first major tournament.

Sinner has showed increased confidence that this is his turn, as he has not dropped a set till he faces Djokovic.

By eliminating Djokovic, the Italian addressed a long-standing question: why couldn’t the new generation defeat the Serb in Melbourne?

Sinner’s next objective was to follow up on his stunning triumph over Medvedev.

Sinner argued that beating Djokovic did not finish the task.

He displayed mental strength by refusing to accept defeat, even in such a precarious position, and remaining confident in his strong groundstrokes.

With Medvedev’s stamina diminishing, Sinner increased the speed and precision of his returns, hitting 28 wins in the final two sets.

“The match was going so fast in the first two sets,” remarked Sinner, who was accompanied by a sizable Italian contingent at Rod Laver Arena.

“I had no possibility of playing at this level, but I was hunting for even the smallest opportunities. I was able to break him and then win one set, one game at a time.”

Many players who have competed in a Grand Slam final have mentioned how unusual the experience may be, especially if it is their first time, and how intimidating it can be.

Medvedev, whose last major victory came at the 2021 US Open, thought that his more experience in similar scenarios would be advantageous against Sinner.

While Sinner did not look to be nervous, Medvedev simply suffocated him with an offensive style in the first two sets, which proved to be an effective strategy.

Finally, the reversal in his fortunes came down to endurance – and possibly some emotional wounds from his defeat to Nadal on the same platform.

Medvedev had spent nearly six hours longer on court during the Melbourne week than his younger opponent.

He had to outlast his opponents in five-set matches three times and come back from two sets behind twice, including a stunning semi-final victory over German sixth seed Alexander Zverev.

Jannik Sinner’s Ascendance in Men’s Tennis:

Before the final, Medvedev mentioned Jannik Sinner’s physical edge and how he knew he needed to get off to a quick start to enhance his chances.

However, he was unable to continue the ferocity and depth of his groundstrokes, seeming fatigued when Jannik Sinner fought back.

“I felt a little exhausted physically. But I was trying to feel proud of myself, and I am,” Medvedev explained.

“I was fighting, and I was running.” I thought, “If I don’t feel my legs tomorrow, it doesn’t matter; I’m going to try everything I can until the end,” and I did.

Medvedev broke the previous record for time spent on court at a single Grand Slam tournament, which was 23 hours and 39 minutes set by Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz on his way to winning the US Open in 2022.

After losing to Nadal, Medvedev began his post-match press conference with a gloomy monologue in which he stated that he had “stopped dreaming”.

This time, he maintained a more positive demeanour and even managed to joke about his time on the court.

“At least I have a record in something. “I’m in the history books,” he stated.