Jannik Sinner defeated Daniil Medvedev, 7-6, 7-6, in the 2026 Indian Wells final.
It was the Italian’s first title of the season, having fallen at the semifinal stage in Australia and the quarterfinal stage in Doha.
Given the nature of Sinner’s dominance in recent years, some questioned his form after the first two tournaments of 2026.
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Writing for La Gazzetta dello Sport, Italian Davis Cup champion Paolo Bertolucci shared his thoughts on Sinner’s Indian Wells win, providing a reason for his ‘struggles’ earlier in the year.
Paolo Bertolucci believes Jannik Sinner’s ‘virus’ cost him in Australia and Qatar
Bertolucci wasn’t surprised to see Sinner return to form in California.
“The fan takes their idol’s defeat almost as a personal insult: as soon as [Jannik] Sinner, who spoiled the tennis community, loses a match, tragedy strikes,” he said.
“Sometimes we forget that Jannik always wants to win, but he himself knows that even the greatest have faced defeat at times.
“Players at this level who play 17 tournaments a year win an average of six or seven [titles], so it’s a given that they lose the other ten times.
Jannik Sinner’s ATP titles per season
| Season | ATP Titles | ATP Tournaments played |
| 2026* | 1 (Indian Wells) | 3 |
| 2025 | 6 (Australian Open, Wimbledon, China Open, Vienna Open, Paris Masters, ATP Finals) | 12 |
| 2024 | 8 (Australian Open, Rotterdam Open, Miami Open, Halle Open, Cincinnati Open, US Open, Shanghai Masters, ATP Finals) | 15 |
| 2023 | 4 (Open Sud de France, Canadian Open, China Open, Vienna Open) | 21 |
| 2022 | 1 (Croatia Open) | 17 |
| 2021 | 4 (Great Ocean Road Open, Washington Open, Sofia Open, European Open) | 25 |
| 2020 | 1 (Sofia Open) | 12 |
| 2019 | 0 | 10 |
“This is the calculation you have to make.
“It was predictable that, once he had overcome the aftermath of the virus that prevented him from being at his best in Melbourne and Doha, Jannik would return to his former level.”
Bertolucci doesn’t think Sinner was 100% healthy for the first two events he played this year.
Jannik Sinner’s record in 2026 (13-2)
- Australian Open – Semifinalist (Lost to Novak Djokovic)
- Qatar Open – Quarterfinalist (Lost to Jakub Mensik)
- Indian Wells – Champion
Recovering in time for Indian Wells, Sinner returned to winning ways, picking up his sixth Masters 1000 title.
Masters 1000 champions (active players)
- 1. Novak Djokovic – 40 titles
- 2. Carlos Alcaraz – 8 titles
- 3. Alexander Zverev – 7 titles
- T-4. Jannik Sinner – 6 titles
- T-4. Daniil Medvedev – 6 titles
He’ll now look to stay fit and add another title to his tally in Florida…
Jannik Sinner hasn’t lost a match at the Miami Open in 1,060 days
Sinner will return to Miami, hoping to win back the title he never lost.
The Italian star won the Miami Open in 2024, defeating Medvedev in the final.
Then, he was unable to compete last year due to suspension.
Therefore, Sinner hasn’t lost a match in Miami since 2023.
Jannik Sinner’s last 10 matches at the Miami Open
| Match | Opponent | Result | Score | — Days ago |
| 2024 Miami Open – F | Grigor Dimitrov | WIN | 6-3, 6-1 | 716 |
| 2024 Miami Open – SF | Daniil Medvedev | WIN | 6-1, 6-2 | 718 |
| 2024 Miami Open – QF | Tomas Machac | WIN | 6-4, 6-2 | 720 |
| 2024 Miami Open – 4R | Christopher O’Connell | WIN | 6-4, 6-3 | 721 |
| 2024 Miami Open – 3R | Tallon Griekspoor | WIN | 5-7, 7-5, 6-1 | 723 |
| 2024 Miami Open – 2R | Andrea Vavassori | WIN | 6-3, 6-4 | 725 |
| 2023 Miami Open – F | Daniil Medvedev | LOSS | 5-7, 3-6 | 1,060 |
| 2023 Miami Open – SF | Carlos Alcaraz | WIN | 6-7, 6-4, 6-2 | 1,061 |
| 2023 Miami Open – QF | Emil Ruusuvuori | WIN | 6-3, 6-1 | 1,064 |
| 2023 Miami Open – 4R | Andrey Rublev | WIN | 6-2, 6-4 | 1,065 |
He’ll make his long-awaited return in 2026 as the hot-favorite to clinch the title, but that’s not to say he won’t be challenged.
His biggest rival, Carlos Alcaraz, is also a former Miami Open champion and will want to finish the Sunshine Double on a high note.
Then there’s Alexander Zverev, who has quietly enjoyed a strong start to his 2026 campaign, reaching the semis of the Australian Open and Indian Wells.
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One player who won’t be challenging Sinner for the title is Novak Djokovic, who withdrew from the Miami Open.
The legendary Serb was a finalist a year ago, but won’t make the trip to Florida in 2026.
Still, there is plenty for fans to look forward to at the Miami Open.
Sinner will begin his campaign later this week against either Damir Dzumhur or a qualifier.
