Jannik Sinner defeated Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 in the Rome final on Sunday, becoming the first Italian man to win the Italian Open in 50 years.
The world No. 1 became the first Italian man to win the tournament since Adriano Panatta in 1976.
Sinner’s victory on the red clay of the Foro Italico also made him the second player to win all nine of the Masters 1000, the biggest non-Grand Slam tournament, after Novak Djokovic, who achieved the Golden Masters.
Djokovic ended his career in Cincinnati in 2018 at the age of 31 and has since won each tournament at least twice.
Sinner is 24 years old, and with his only real rival Carlos Alcaraz currently sidelined with a right wrist injury, it seems like no one can beat him.
Sinner also extended his winning streak to 29 matches, with his most recent loss coming on February 19 against Jakub Menshik in the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open.
Sinner, who also won Masters 1000 titles in Monte Carlo and Madrid, heads into the French Open next Sunday with a 17-0 record on clay this year.
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Highlights of the Madrid Open final between Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev
“I can’t believe it,” Sinner said. “It’s been 50 years since an Italian won. I’m glad that one of us was able to take advantage of this great period for Italian tennis.”
Sinner celebrated in his usual calm manner, beaming as he hit an inside-out forehand over the line to earn his first championship points.
He then waved to the crowd, including Panatta, who was sitting in the front row.
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