Jannik Sinner won the title at the Italian Open and became the youngest in the Career Golden Masters

Jannik Sinner made tennis history in Rome after clinching the 2026 Italian Open title, beating Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 in the final to complete a landmark run on home soil. The victory made Sinner the youngest player to ever complete a Career Golden Masters, and he achieved the rare feat of winning all nine ATP Masters 1000 events in his career.

With the triumph, Sinner also became the first man in history to win the first five Masters 1000 events in one season, extending the streak of records that defined his year. His run included titles in every major event at the start of the season, including Indian Wells, the Miami Open, the Monte Carlo Masters, the Madrid Open and the title in Rome.

The victory at the Italian Open had an even deeper historical significance for the home fans. Sinner became the first Italian men’s champion in Rome since Adriano Panatta in 1976, ending a 50-year wait for a home winner at the Foro Italico.

Sinner’s triumph also placed him alongside Rafael Nadal in another elite category. He became only the second player in history to win all three Masters clay tournaments (Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome) in a single season, equaling Nadal’s feat in 2010.

THE MOMENT JANNÍK SINNER BECAME MASTER OF ROME

Youngest man in history to win all 9 Masters titles

The only men in history to do it:

Djokovic – 31 years old

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He’s not chasing records, he’s rewriting them

pic.twitter.com/8N8uBqqSUg— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 17, 2026

After his win, Sinner said: “I don’t know. It’s hard to say. I think this year was the 50th year an Italian won and I’m really, really happy. There was a lot of tension on both sides and it wasn’t perfect tennis from either of us, but I’m very, very happy.”

“It’s been an incredible last two and a half months. I’m always trying to put myself in the best possible position, trying to do my best. Not every day is easy, but I’m really, really happy,” Sinner added.

HOW THE Sinner took control of RUUD

The match started with Ruud trying to establish his heavy topspin game on the clay, but Sinner quickly neutralized Nor’s rhythm with deep returns and aggressive positioning inside the baseline. Both players held serve early, but the turning point of the first set came when Sinner upped the tempo on Ruud’s second serve and mounted repeated break pressure. Ruud was able to stay competitive until 4-4, but Sinner broke for 5-4 and calmly served out the set to take control of the final.

Jannik Sinner after winning the title in Rome:

“This year was the 50th year that an Italian won… I’m really really happy. The last two and a half months are unbelievable. I’m trying to do my best. Not every day is easy, but I’m really really happy.” pic.twitter.com/hQp9pdEaeH— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 17, 2026

In the second set, Sinner carried the momentum forward with even more intensity. He broke Ruud early to build a 2-1 lead and immediately cemented it with strong service games, forcing Nora to come from behind for the rest of the set.

The world number one consistently targeted Ruud’s backhand corner, drawing short answers that allowed him to dictate moves and finish points effectively.

Ruud tried to respond by extending rallies and using drop shots to disrupt Sinner’s rhythm, but the Italian’s movement and court coverage proved too strong on the day. Sinner maintained a high first serve percentage and rarely allowed any free points to Ruud, maintaining a steady score pressure throughout the match.

Down 5-4 in the second set, Sinner again showed composure under pressure, holding serve comfortably to seal the title and complete the historic milestone in Rome.

– The end

Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

17 May 2026 23:27 IST