Jannik Sinner concluded his dominant 2024 season by winning the US Open. The world No. 1 triumphed over Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 on Sunday, marking his second Grand Slam title of the year.
The Italian had also secured the Australian Open earlier in the season, making him the first player since 1977 to win his first two Grand Slam titles in the same year, a feat last achieved by Guillermo Vilas.
Sinner’s baseline precision was key to overcoming Fritz’s powerful game, preventing the American from ending a 21-year Grand Slam title drought for American men. The last American male to win a major was Andy Roddick, who claimed the US Open in 2003.
Fritz, the 12th seed, had hoped to become the first American man to reach a major final since Roddick’s 2009 Wimbledon appearance. He advanced to the final after defeating Frances Tiafoe, but was unable to capitalize on the home crowd’s energy in the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Despite occasional momentum, including a break in the third set, Fritz was unable to maintain control, with Sinner quickly recovering and finishing the match with clinical baseline play.
Sinner, cleared in a doping investigation in March that resurfaced shortly before the US Open, fought back after going down 5-4 in the third set. Fritz had a chance to serve for the set but was broken by Sinner, who went on to break again, securing the championship.
“This title, for me, means so much,” Sinner stated post-match, per Howard Fendrich of The Associated Press. “The last period of my career was really not easy.” He further added, “We just went day by day … believing in ourself, which is the most important. I understand, especially in this tournament, how important the mental part is.”
With this win, Sinner extended his winning streak to 11 matches and brought his season record to 55-5. His dominance on hard courts is particularly notable, with a 35-2 record on the surface, where he has now claimed both of his major titles.
“It’s really impressive,” Fritz commented on Sinner’s performance. “He was too good.”
Fritz’s defeat means the Grand Slam drought for American men continues, while Sinner’s rise marks him as a dominant force on the ATP tour, especially on hard courts.
