Can’t top this: Sinner crowned the new king of tennis

Jannik Sinner capped his reign as the new king of tennis on Sunday with an historic title at the ATP Finals, becoming the first champion in nearly four decades to win without dropping a set all week.

The Turin triumph for the German-speaker from the alpine Alto Adige north, turned in another command performance to humble Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 in 84 quick minutes.

The victory was a repeat of the recent US open where the 23-year-old Italian also prevailed over the American.

“At times I couldn’t play any better,” Sinner said in victory after slamming 14 aces and claiming victory as Fritz sent a service return long on first match point.

Fritz is the first from his nation to win the eight-man year-end event and the first to do it without losing a set since Ivan Lendl in 1986.

Sinner was untouchable all week as he schooled each and every opponent through three group matches, a semi-final rout of casper Ruud and his defeat of Fritz.

“It’s been a positive and amazing week. I’m so pleased to win my first title in Italy – it means so much to me,” Sinner said..

“This is something very, very special. I tried to play my best tennis, that was the key. I had a high level throughout the tournament from my side.”

Sinner will now lead Italy into the Davis Cup title defence next week in Malaga, with play starting on Tuesday in southern Spain.

He now owns an ATP-leading 70 wins this season and eight titles, including the Australian and US Opens.

The last player to win the year-end trophy in his home nation was Andy Murray at London in 2016. LLeyton Hewitt also did it this century at Sydney, 2001.

The world No. 1 extended his late-season win streak to 11 matches, claiming 26 of his last 27; his last defeat occurred in the October Beijing final to Carlos Alcaraz.

Fritz was the first American finalist at the season-wrapup since James Blake in 2006, who lost to Roger Federer; the last American to win the title was Pete Sampras in 1999 at Hanover.

Main photo:- Jannik Sinner lifts ATP Masters trophy – by ISF Ltd