Italian tennis sensation and World No. 1, Jannik Sinner, made a triumphant start at the ATP Finals, dazzling his home crowd with a 6-3, 6-4 win over tournament newcomer Alex de Minaur on Sunday. 🎾🇮🇹
Sinner, who finished as runner-up to Novak Djokovic in last year's thrilling finale, shook off early jitters after dropping serve to trail 2-1. But like a true champion, he bounced back, dominating the court and electrifying the atmosphere in the 13,000-seater Inalpi Arena. 🔥
At just 23, Sinner has already clinched the Australian and US Open titles this year, marking his first Grand Slam victories. 🏆🏆 His powerful baseline shots and unwavering focus proved too much for De Minaur, as he sealed the match with an ace—a statement of intent for his ATP Finals campaign.
\"Considering I hadn't played for four weeks, I'm very happy,\" Sinner shared courtside. \"I started off with some unforced errors at the beginning of the match but I stayed there mentally knowing that at some point my tennis would arrive. It arrived quite early and started to return very well. Today I'm pleased with the win, and it will give me confidence.\" 💪
Sinner hadn't played competitively since his victory in Shanghai, his seventh title of the season. Despite the hiatus, he showed no signs of rust, thrilling fans who cheered him on with gusto. 🎉
However, Sinner's stellar year hasn't been without its challenges. Earlier this year, he faced scrutiny after testing positive for the banned substance clostebol in March. An independent tribunal organized by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) cleared him of wrongdoing, accepting his explanation that it entered his system through massages and sports therapy from a team member. 🕵️♂️
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has since appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), casting a shadow over his otherwise remarkable season. ⚖️
As the ATP Finals unfold, all eyes are on Sinner to see if he can conquer the competition and solidify his standing as one of tennis's brightest stars. 🌟
Reference(s):
Jannik Sinner opens ATP Finals campaign with win over De Minaur
cgtn.com
