World number one Jannik Sinner made tennis history Sunday by defeating Norway’s Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 in the Italian Open championship match, achieving a rare career milestone known as the “Golden Masters.”
The 24-year-old Italian became just the second player following Novak Djokovic to capture all nine ATP Masters 1000 tournament titles. Playing on home court, Sinner finally claimed the championship that had eluded him through six previous attempts, including a loss to Carlos Alcaraz in last year’s final.
The match saw Ruud take an early 2-0 advantage with a service break in the opening set, but Sinner quickly responded by breaking back. At 4-4 in the first set, Sinner executed a brilliant backhand that created a break point opportunity, which he converted when Ruud sent his return long, giving the Italian a crucial 5-4 edge.
Sinner secured an early break in the second set’s opening game, which proved sufficient to close out the victory. This triumph marks his fifth ATP 1000 championship this year and extends his remarkable Masters winning streak to 34 consecutive matches.
The victory made Sinner the first Italian man to capture the Rome singles title since Adriano Panatta accomplished the feat in 1976. His championship came on the same day that Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori claimed the men’s doubles crown, marking the first time an Italian duo had won that title in 66 years.
Sinner’s current Masters dominance includes recent victories in Paris, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, and now Rome, establishing him as the sport’s premier player on the tour’s most prestigious stage below the Grand Slams.
