Jannik Sinner has won back-to-back ATP Finals titles in historic fashion, failing to drop a set throughout the entire tournament.
The Italian, who will finish the year as world number two despite winning the title in Turin, clinched the title in front of his home crowd in Turin.
In what was a nail-biting contest, Sinner saved a set point in the first set by hitting a 117 mph second serve, before closing out the set in the tiebreak.
In the second set, Sinner broke the Alcaraz serve at 6-5 to claim a 7-6, 7-5 victory over his great rival.
Following the contest, Sinner offered his immediate reaction.
Jannik Sinner reacts to his ATP Finals triumph against Carlos Alcaraz
Speaking to Sky Sports immediately after the match, Sinner discussed his feelings.
The Italian had lost seven of his previous eight ATP Tour matches against Alcaraz before tonight, so the victory will undoubtedly give the Italian a much-needed confidence boost moving forward.
The Italian said: Sinner: “It represents not only tennis.
“We are individual athletes, obviously. But at the same time, without a team, this is not possible, and celebrating this trophy at the end of the year, after such an intense last couple of months, there is no better ending to the season for me.
“It was very, very tough and close matchup. I had set point [set point down] in the first set. I am extremely happy with how I handled the situation. It means the world to me.”
The 23-year-old spared a word for Carlos Alcaraz, noting the strength of the Spaniard’s return game.
It was tough,” Sinner began.
“Playing against Carlos you have to play at your best. I was serving very well at times. He is one of the best returners, if not the best in the game. Obviously, Novak is in there.
“I am very happy, it was a tough match, but it means a lot to me ending the season like this, and it was amazing.”
Sinner has now won 31 consecutive indoor hard-court matches: his last loss on the surface came in Turin two years ago, when he lost to Novak Djokovic in the final of the ATP Finals.
Sinner has also become the first player in ATP Finals history to win back-to-back tournaments without dropping a set.
Laura Robson was ‘blown away’ by what Jannik Sinner’s team were doing during the match
At 5-4 in the first set, former junior Wimbledon champion Laura Robson noticed that Jannik Sinner’s team were particularly active on the sidelines.
“I’m just blown away to my left by how much Sinner’s camp are standing up. It’s like almost every single point that he wins, they are on their feet,” Robson said while on air for Sky Sports.
“Simone Vagnozzi is kind of the only one not doing it every time.
“But the rest of the camp all united in blue, they are pumped up, as pumped up as I have ever seen them and that includes Slam finals.
So clearly, this one means a lot.
