Jannik Sinner feels he still has places for improvement next year after winning the ATP Finals for the first time on Sunday, capping a near-perfect season for the world number one. Sinner, 23, defeated Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 at the season-ending event in Turin, earning his eighth championship of a spectacular season that began with his first Grand Slam victory at the Australian Open. He won his second major title at the US Open in September, despite becoming engaged in a doping scandal after testing positive for residues of the steroid clostebol twice six months earlier.
The World Anti-Doping Agency has since filed an appeal against his first exoneration, with WADA demanding a two-year punishment for the Italian. While Sinner awaits the conclusion of that case, he is looking ahead to 2025 with no specific goals in mind, only the desire to improve his game — an unsettling message to his opponents from a man who has won 26 of his last 27 matches.
I believe it was the mindset with which we approached the entire year, attempting to increase my level in specific instances, as I have done throughout the year,” Sinner stated. Sinner is the first Italian to win the Finals in its 55-year history, and he did it just days after becoming the first player from his country to lead the ATP’s year-end rankings.
With his Tour-leading 70th win of the season, he became the first player since Ivan Lendl in 1986 to win the tournament without losing a set. “I believe that there exists still a gap of improvement,” Sinner maintained.
“There are still some shots and points that I can improve, but these are minor issues. The more advanced you play, the more important details become.” Sinner has displaced Novak Djokovic at the top of the game after losing the ATP Finals championship match to him last year.
Better than the previous year.
Sinner defeated Fritz in straight sets like he did in the semifinal stage and the US Open final in September, bringing his record on hard courts this year to 50-3. “I attempted to improve myself from last year and uncover the keys to winning this final. Sinner stated, “I’m very pleased to have handled this pressure and to share the achievement with the Italian crowd.” Sinner now heads to Malaga, where he intends to lead Italy to a successful Davis Cup defense.