Alexander Zverev faced another disappointment in his pursuit of a Grand Slam title, losing to world number one Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final with a score of 3:6, 6:7 (4:7), 3:6. Despite a determined effort, Zverev struggled against Sinner’s strong serve and composure. This defeat marks Zverev’s third loss in a Grand Slam final, while Sinner celebrated his 21st consecutive win and his third Grand Slam title, reinforcing his status as Italy’s top player.
Once again, the title eludes him: In the third Grand Slam final of his career, Germany’s tennis sensation Alexander Zverev falls short of glory. Facing off against world number one Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final, he puts forth a valiant effort but ultimately finds himself outmatched.
With his head bowed, Zverev graciously congratulated his formidable opponent at the net before taking a seat on the bench, disappointment etched on his face. The German star has once again come up short at the Australian Open, losing to the reigning champion Sinner with a score of 3:6, 6:7 (4:7), 3:6, and continues to chase his elusive first Grand Slam title.
For Zverev, the haunting memory of final defeats lingers in the Rod Laver Arena. Following his losses at the US Open in 2020 and the French Open last year, the Hamburg native has now experienced another setback in Melbourne at the crucial moment. Historically, only five players have faced the agony of losing their first three Grand Slam finals. “It’s incredibly frustrating to be so close to the trophy. Congratulations to Jannik, you truly are the best player in the world,” Zverev expressed to his rival. “I wished I could have been a tougher competitor today, but you were just too good. That’s the reality.”
Zverev’s Near Miss
If Zverev had secured a victory against Sinner, he would have made history as the first male German player to win a Grand Slam tournament in 29 years, since Boris Becker’s triumph in Melbourne. Alongside Becker, legends like Steffi Graf, Michael Stich, and Angelique Kerber have also brought home Grand Slam titles for Germany.
Sinner, on the other hand, reached a significant milestone with his 21st consecutive win and solidified his place in tennis history for Italy at just 23 years old. With three Grand Slam titles to his name, he stands as Italy’s most successful player. Along with the honor, Sinner will take home around 2.11 million euros in prize money, while Zverev will receive a consolation prize of 1.14 million euros.
The Match Dynamics
On Australia Day, Zverev struggled to penetrate Sinner’s serve, while his own serves proved to be a challenge. After saving two break points at 1:2, Zverev gave himself a motivational shout of “Let’s go!”
Despite his efforts, Sinner capitalized on his sixth break opportunity, taking the first set as he dominated in the longer exchanges. Zverev’s forehand errors and inconsistent shot lengths hindered his performance, with missed opportunities on drop shots and volleys adding to his frustrations.
In the second set, Zverev’s dissatisfaction with his shot quality was evident as he occasionally nearly threw his racket to the ground. Meanwhile, Sinner, who had faced physical challenges during the tournament, experienced a scare at 3:4 when he grabbed his left thigh after a long lunge.
Although Sinner seemed momentarily affected, Zverev seized the opportunity to play more aggressively. However, in the tiebreak, misfortune struck when a net roller put him behind at 4:5. Frustrated, he smashed his racket against his bag while sitting on the bench.
In the third set, Sinner proved to be more adept in critical moments. After breaking Zverev’s serve, he pulled ahead, and the German failed to create a single break opportunity. After 2:42 hours of play, Sinner converted his first match point. “It was a tough day for you. You’re an incredible player,” Sinner attempted to uplift Zverev afterward. “I still believe in you. We all know how strong you are as a player and a person. You will lift that trophy soon.”
Eurosport expert Becker noted, “It’s remarkable how Jannik Sinner remains composed amid distractions.” Sinner is currently facing scrutiny due to a potential doping ban, with a hearing before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) pending in April regarding his prior acquittal following two positive doping tests.