If Rome was the last big test before Roland Garros, Jannik Sinner passed it in style. The Italian world No. 1 defeated Casper Ruud 6-4 6-4 in the final in Rome to win the title on home soil, and in doing so, he completed one of the most remarkable runs men’s tennis has seen in recent times. It was not only a home triumph, but also a historic one. With this win, Sinner became just the second player after Novak Djokovic to complete the ‘Career Golden Masters’, winning all nine ATP Masters 1000 titles. ATP also confirmed that he did it at 24, making him the youngest man to achieve it.
That was only part of the story. Rome also gave Sinner his sixth consecutive ATP Masters 1000 title, extending a run that began in Paris in 2025 and has now continued through Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo, Madrid and Rome. It has been a special run, and the results speak for themselves. No matter the surface, Sinner just keeps finding a way to win.
What made the Rome win even more meaningful was where it happened. Sinner became the first Italian man since Adriano Panatta in 1976 to win the Rome title. In his on-court interview, he admitted how much that meant to him. “I think this year was the 50th year since an Italian won and I am really, really happy,” Sinner said. He also added, “There was a lot of tension on both sides, it was not perfect tennis from both of us, but I am really happy. incredible past two and a half months. I try to put myself in a best possible position, every time trying to do the best I can. Not everyday is simple, but I am really very happy…”
There was respect on the other side of the net too. Casper Ruud knew exactly what kind of level he had run into in Rome, and his on-court interview made that very clear. After the final, the Norwegian said, “What you are doing this year, it’s hard to describe with words.” He also added, “It’s really an honour to watch you play, to be able to share the court with you today here in a beautiful arena in your home Masters 1000,” before congratulating him for “making history” and calling it “fantastic to witness.” It was a generous reaction, but also an honest one.
And now the focus moves to Roland Garros, the only Grand Slam title still missing from Sinner’s collection. With Carlos Alcaraz out of both Rome and Roland Garros because of injury, the picture in Paris has changed a little. Nothing is certain in sport, especially on clay over two long weeks, but right now Sinner will go there as the strongest favorite in the men’s draw.
Sinner has won in different places, on different surfaces, and against all kinds of opponents. He has already completed the full set of Masters 1000 titles, and if he now goes on to win Roland Garros, the only major prize missing from his collection would be Olympic singles gold. That can wait for another time. For now, Rome has made one thing very clear, before the tour moves to Paris, Jannik Sinner is the man everyone has to beat.
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