Jannik Sinner became the first Italian to win the Rome Masters in 50 years, completing the Career Golden Masters

Jannik Sinner of Italy holds his trophy after defeating Casper Ruud of Norway in the final. (AP photo)

In a historic display of dominance, Jannik Sinner became the first Italian to win the Rome Masters in 50 years since Adriano Panatta in 1976 on Sunday. The 24-year-old world number one secured the Italian Open title with a clinical 6-4, 6-4 victory over Casper Ruud in the final on the red clay of the Foro Italico, making him only the second man after Novak Djokovic to win all nine Masters 1000 tournaments – the biggest tournaments outside the Grand Slams.“There’s no better place to finish this set,” Sinner said at the completion of the Career Golden Masters. “For an Italian, this is one of the most special places where we play tennis. To win at least once in my career means a lot to me.” As Panatta watched from the front row, a visibly emotional Sinner addressed the legend: “Adriano, after 50 years we have regained a very important trophy.” The current form of Sinner is nothing short of legendary. The victory marks his sixth consecutive Masters 1000 title and extends his winning streak at this level to a record 34 matches. Across all competitions, he remains unbeaten in 29 games, a streak dating back to mid-February. At 24, he became the youngest to win all nine Masters 1000 tournaments, while Djokovic completed the feat at the age of 31 in 2018. The atmosphere in the Campo Centrale was electrifying, with 10,500 fans creating a lively, football-style environment to support Italy’s most famous athlete. Angelo Binaghi, president of the Italian Tennis Federation, suggested that even if there was a 25,000-seat Center Court in Rome – larger than Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open, the world’s largest tennis arena – it would be full.Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori became the first Italian duo to win the men’s doubles title in Rome since 1960. Bolelli and Vavassori defeated Marcelo Granollers and Horacio Zeballos 7-6 (8), 6-7 (3), 10-3.With his “Golden Masters” collection now complete, all eyes will turn to Roland Garros. The French Open is the last piece of the puzzle for Sinner to complete a career Grand Slam. With rival Carlos Alcaraz sidelined by a wrist injury and Sinner sporting an unblemished 17-0 record on clay this year, the Italian is the favorite to take the title in Paris.