By Jorge Hernandez
09 Sep 2024, 01:34 AM EDT
Jannik Sinner, who proclaimed himself US Open Champion, He dedicated the second Grand Slam of his career to an aunt who is experiencing health problems.
“I love tennis. I train a lot for these kinds of scenarios. But I also realise that there is a life beyond the court,” said the Italian tennis player after finishing the final in New York.
“I would like to dedicate this title to my aunt. She is not in good health. I don’t know how much longer I will have her in my life. It’s very nice that I can still share positive moments with her. She is a very important person in my life. If I could have one wish, I would wish everyone the best of health. Unfortunately, that is not possible,” he added.
The world number one and also champion at the Australian Open this year, crushed the American Fritz, ranked 12th, with scores of 6-3, 6-4 and 7-5 in two hours and 15 minutes.
Sinner, who won $3.6 million in prize money, is only the fourth player in history to win both hard-court majors in the same season. The other three are Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Mats Wilander.
“I think I’ve done pretty well, I guess,” Sinner joked, recalling that when he arrived in the Big Apple, he didn’t have high expectations for this tournament.
“We went day by day, trying to train well, believing in ourselves, which is the most important thing. I understood, especially in this tournament, how important the mental part is in sport. I am very happy and proud to share this moment with my team,” he added.
Sinner also claimed the trophy for himself at Flushing Meadows after a few weeks of controversy over his positive doping test at Indian Wells, which went unpunished after the authorities considered it to be an error by his physiotherapist.
“This title means a lot to me. The last period of my career was not easy. My team supports me every day, the people I have close to me,” he said.
Finally, the transalpine player underlined how “incredible” 2024 has been, in which he reached the top of the ATP, won his first two ‘majors’ and has already played six tournaments in total.
“There are a lot of great wins for me this season, starting with Australia. Playing so well there has given me confidence so far. But the work never stops, I know I can still improve,” he said.
“But you have to be proud of what you have and the rest of you have to go for it and work for it,” he concluded.
*With information from EFE.
Continue reading:
· Jannik Sinner is the US Open champion, dashing the hopes of those who wanted to see an American champion
Taylor Fritz looks to end the drought of Americans without US Open titles
US Open: Mexican Renata Zarazúa surprises by beating Caroline Garcia