Winning the first Major title is never easy. However, stepping in and defending it a year later is even harder! Jannik Sinner achieved that at this year’s Australian Open, continuing where he left a year ago and extending his Melbourne reign.
At 23 years and five months, the Italian became the youngest player to defend the first Major title since Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros in 2006! The king of clay conquered his first Major trophy a couple of days after turning 19 in June 2005.
Nadal defended the title 12 months later over Roger Federer, becoming a two-time Roland Garros champion right after his 20th birthday! Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin del Potro, Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, Marin Cilic, Dominic Thiem, Daniil Medvedev and Carlos Alcaraz failed to defend their first Major crowns.
A reminder to the point that eventually won Jannik Sinner the Australian Open title.pic.twitter.com/tGST40G6H7
— Qualified Gaslighter (@QGaslighter) January 28, 2025
Sinner stepped in and achieved that, joining Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Bjorn Borg, Mats Wilander, John McEnroe, Jim Courier and a few other players on the exclusive list. Jannik enjoyed a great run in the second part of 2023, beating Novak Djokovic two times and becoming world no. 4.
Jannik Sinner, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The 22-year-old was among the title favorites at last year’s Australian Open and proved that on the court. The Italian reached the semi-final and faced the ten-time champion, Novak Djokovic. The young gun ousted the legend in style, never facing a break point and sealing the deal in style.
Competing in his first Major final, Sinner dropped the opening two sets against Daniil Medvedev. Jannik kept his focus and turned the tables, prevailing in a five-setter and writing history books. The Italian took charge and dominated the rest of the season.
Jannik Sinner, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The South Tyrolean star embraced a 73-6 score in 2024, lifting eight ATP trophies and leaving everyone behind. Jannik was the top favorite at this year’s Australian Open. World no. 1 survived a scare against Holger Rune and defended the title in style!
Last year’s winner dropped two sets in seven encounters. He did not feel well against Rune in the fourth round. However, he sealed the deal in four sets and recovered his strength. The defending champion destroyed Alex de Minaur in the quarter-final.
Alexander Zverev & Jannik Sinner, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The Italian saved two set points in the semi-final against Ben Shelton and moved over the top in straight sets. World no. 2 Alexander Zverev stood between Sinner and the title defense. The world’s best player overpowered the German 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 to lift his second consecutive trophy in Melbourne and write history.
Jannik faced no break points and kept the pressure on the other side. He broke Alexander once in sets one and three and prevailed in the second to extend his Melbourne streak.
Tennis World USA