Jannik Sinner says he nonetheless has areas the place he can enhance subsequent yr after profitable the ATP Finals for the primary time Sunday to cap a near-perfect season for the world primary. The 23-year-old Sinner beat Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 on the season-ending occasion in Turin, his eighth title of a outstanding season which started with a primary Grand Slam triumph on the Australian Open. He adopted that up with a second main victory on the US Open in September after changing into embroiled in a doping controversy having twice examined constructive for traces of the steroid clostebol six months prior.
A World Anti-Doping Company attraction towards his preliminary exoneration has since been hanging over his head, with WADA searching for a ban of as much as two years for the Italian.
Whereas Sinner awaits the result of that case he’s waiting for 2025 with no particular targets in thoughts however a view to additional honing his recreation — an ominous warning to his rivals from a participant who has gained 26 of his final 27 matches.
“No matter we will catch, we take, and the remaining we study. I feel that was the mentality we approached this entire yr, attempting to boost my stage in particular moments, which I’ve achieved all through this yr,” mentioned Sinner.
“I am very pleased about that as a result of it is a very good strategy to end off an unimaginable season. Numerous wins, lots of titles.”
Sinner is the primary Italian to win the Finals in its 55-year historical past, doing so days after changing into the primary from his nation to high the ATP’s end-of-year rankings.
His Tour-leading seventieth win of the season made him the primary participant since Ivan Lendl in 1986 to win the match with out dropping a set.
“I truly consider there’s nonetheless hole of enchancment,” mentioned Sinner.
“There are nonetheless sure pictures and factors what I could make typically higher, however are small particulars. The upper you play level-wise, the extra particulars make the distinction.”
Sinner has reacted to shedding final yr’s championship match on the ATP Finals to Novak Djokovic by displacing the Serbian on the high of the sport.
‘Higher than final yr’
Sinner once more swept Fritz apart in straight units simply as he did within the group stage and the US Open remaining in September, bettering his report on exhausting courts this yr to 50-3.
“I attempted to make myself higher than final yr, to seek out the keys to win this remaining. I am very pleased to have dealt with this stress and to share this success with the Italian crowd,” mentioned Sinner.
“It is wonderful, it is my first title in Italy and it means a lot to me.”
Sinner now heads to Malaga the place he hopes to steer Italy to a profitable defence of their Davis Cup title.
After a well-deserved relaxation he’ll head to Australia within the new yr, arriving in Melbourne with the stress of defending a Grand Slam crown for the primary time.
“I do not know the way I’m going to react, how I’m going to play,” mentioned Sinner.
“For positive is that I’ll put together it in the very best means. Like each match, we attempt to put together it, after which we see.
“I at all times say tennis is unpredictable. You by no means know what can occur. So it’ll be all good if mentally you are in a superb place.”
Fritz fell quick in his bid to turn out to be the ATP Finals’ first American champion since Pete Sampras in 1999 however will rise to a career-best of fourth within the rankings.
“With the great outcomes, it has been a terrific week for me,” mentioned Fritz, crushed by Sinner for the fourth time in 5 conferences.
“It is a great way to finish the yr. Provides me lots of confidence ending the season.
“Beginning subsequent yr, I really feel like I’ve a good suggestion of what issues I would like to enhance on, however I additionally really feel like I am enjoying superb tennis.
“I really feel like I’ve gone up a stage and I am far more assured in my recreation.”
(This story has not been edited by EDNBOX employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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