Unstoppable Sinner beats Fritz to win first ATP Finals title

The world No 1 is the first Italian man to win the season-ending event

Antonio Calanni/AP/SIPA

November 17, 2024

Italy’s Jannik Sinner ended the ATP season in style in Turin on Sunday as he beat American Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 to win the ATP Finals title for the first time.

The world No 1 hit 14 aces as he added the season-ending crown to his seven other titles for the year, including his first two Grand Slam titles, won at the Australian Open and US Opens.

“It’s amazing,” Sinner said. “It’s been an amazing week. It’s my first title in Italy, so it’s very, very special. It was a very high level, at times, I couldn’t have played better, so I’m very, very happy.”

The 23-year-old is the first Italian ever to win the ATP Finals and is the third man, after Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, to win the Australian Open, US Open and season-ending championship in the same year. He is also the first man to win the title without losing a set since Ivan Lendl in 1986.

Sinner had beaten Fritz in the US Open final and again in the round-robin stages in Turin but Fritz went into the final with belief, after taking out Alexander Zverev in the semis.

But though the American performed well, Sinner was just too strong, wrapping up victory with exactly the same scoreline as their round-robin encounter in front of a raucous home crowd who cheered even louder when it was announced after the match that the ATP Finals will remain in Italy for at least another five years, up to 2030.

Sinner takes his chance, Fritz misses his

Fritz had berated himself for his performance in the US Open final, when he fell behind early on, his usually trusty serve not at its best, the nerves of a first slam final clearly showing. On Sunday, he began with an ace

As he had done throughout the week, Sinner had the full, loud support of the fans inside the Inalpi Arena and he was the one to strike first, breaking for 4-3 in the opener, taking his third break point after Fritz had initially fought back from 15-40.

Serving for the set, Sinner had to save a set point before finally sealing the set on his second set point to move ahead.

Fritz asks question, Sinner answers in style

Fritz, who will rise to a career-high ranking of No 4 on Monday, continued to serve well, keeping his nose in front in the early stages of the second set.

But Sinner looked totally at ease on serve, too and the pressure on Fritz was relentless. At 2-2, 30-30, Fritz put a drop shot in the net to hand Sinner break point. The American saved it with a strong serve but when Sinner forced a second, the pressure was too much, Fritz sending a forehand over the baseline.

Sinner never looked like squandering his lead and he sealed victory to end the year with 26 wins from his last 27 matches.

“Congrats to Jannik and his team, playing incredible, great match, great tennis. It’s been a great week for me.”