Jannik Sinner has etched his name into tennis history by achieving something that hasn’t been done in 47 years. On Sunday, Sinner defeated Taylor Fritz to claim the US Open trophy, making him the third man in the Open Era to win his first two Grand Slam titles in the same season. The victory adds to his Australian Open triumph earlier this year, completing a remarkable season for the 22-year-old Italian.
The magnitude of Sinner’s accomplishment becomes clear when you consider the legends of the sport. Icons like Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Pete Sampras, and Andre Agassi never managed to win their first two Grand Slams in a single season. The last man to do so was Guillermo Vilas, who captured titles at Roland Garros and the US Open in 1977.
Sinner’s rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. Before 2024, he had only reached one semi-final in a Grand Slam tournament. But this year, Sinner has been unstoppable, amassing a 23-2 record at the majors. His win at the US Open cements his place among the elite, showcasing his dominance on the biggest stages.
In doing so, Sinner joins an exclusive group of players who have won both the Australian Open and the US Open on hard courts in the same season. Djokovic and Federer have achieved this feat three times each, while Mats Wilander accomplished it in 1988. Sinner’s name now stands alongside these greats, marking the beginning of what could be a storied career.
The comparison to tennis legends doesn’t stop there. Jimmy Connors remains the only player in the Open Era to have won his first three Grand Slam titles in one season, doing so in 1974 by capturing the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. While Sinner hasn’t matched that feat, his two major titles in one season signal his arrival as a future star in tennis.
For Sinner, 2024 will be remembered as the year he not only made history but also signaled a changing of the guard in men’s tennis.