Italian Jannik Sinner beat American Taylor Fritz in three sets in the men’s final of the US Open on Sunday.
It was the first time Sinner, the world number one, had won the title, and the first time an Italian had won the US Open.
Sinner defeated the California native in three sets, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5. It was the first time either player had reached the U.S. Open final.
Sunday’s victory is also Sinner’s second Grand Slam title this year after winning the Australian Open in January.
Jannik Sinner of Italy returns a shot to Taylor Fritz of the United States during the men’s singles final of the US Open tennis championships in New York, September 8, 2024.
Seth Wenig/AP
Sinner’s path to victory was marred by a doping scandal that resulted in points and prize money deductions rather than a suspension. It was revealed in late summer that Sinner had tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid Clostebol, which he claims he took after his fitness coach treated an injury on Sinner’s physiotherapist, who then worked on the player, leading to traces of the drug being present in a test result.
The revelation cast a shadow over a record-breaking year in which he won five singles titles, including the first Grand Slam title of the year.
Despite playing in front of Fritz’s home crowd, Sinner found support from fans who came to watch the final of the most attended US Open in history. According to the American Tennis Association, more than a million people attended the US Open during its three-week run.
The audience also included celebrities, including Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Olympian Noah Lyles, Martha Stewart and Bad Bunny.
Taylor Fritz of the United States reacts after scoring a point against Jannik Sinner of Italy during the men’s singles final of the US Open tennis championships in New York, September 8, 2024.
Seth Wenig/AP
For Fritz, Sunday’s tournament follows an all-American semifinal Friday, where he defeated American Frances Tiafoe. Fritz entered Sunday’s final as the first American to attend a Grand Slam final since Wimbledon 2009, where Andy Roddick competed. Roddick was also the last American to win the U.S. Open title in 2003.
In his post-match press conference, Fritz spoke about what he described as a “really tough game.”
“I definitely didn’t hit the ball as well as I hoped,” Fritz said, adding: “That’s how it goes when you play, you know, he’s the best player in the world right now.”
The 26-year-old choked up as he described the pressure ahead of Sunday night’s game.
“I feel like the fans, obviously, the American fans, [have] “I’ve wanted a men’s champion for a long time, and I’m really disappointed with the way I played. I feel like I almost let a lot of people down,” Fritz said.
Fritz said his body had rested since the five-setter against compatriot Tiafoe. “I didn’t feel as nervous going into this match as I did in the semifinals. So I was like, you know, obviously it’s the U.S. Open final, I want to win it, it’s a really big moment. But I felt like emotionally I was going to be okay,” he said.
