Alexander Zverev left to say "I'm just not good enough" as Jannik Sinner retains Australian Open title

Jannik Sinner is still the king of Melbourne Park—and hard-court majors—while Alexander Zverev is left wondering if his time on the Grand Slam stage will ever come.

On Sunday, Sinner successfully defended his Australian Open crown by defeating Zverev, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3, in a clash of the ATP’s top two-ranked players. The 23-year-old put on a serving clinic, becoming the first man since Rafael Nadal at the 2017 US Open to not face a break point in a major final.

Sinner honored his team's dedication, particularly coach Darren Cahiill after it was revealed earlier in the tournament this would be his final season with the Italian.

“We worked a lot to be in this position. It's just an amazing feeling to share this moment with all of you,” Sinner said during the trophy presentation. “I know, Darren, it's probably, maybe I try to convince you, your last Australian Open as a coach. I'm very, very happy to share this trophy with you.”

The world No. 1 has now won the past three Grand Slam events on hard courts, with his last loss on the surface in best-of-five coming to Zverev in the round of 16 at the 2023 US Open. His opportunity to add more major hardware this year will be determined in April when the Court of Arbitration for Sport hears the World Anti-Doping Agency's appeal on Sinner's 2024 drug case.

Sinner has also claimed 10 consecutive Top 10 wins, dating back to last October’s Shanghai final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz.

Zverev dropped to 0-3 in major finals. Unlike this one, his first two were within grasp after being edged out in deciding sets at the 2020 US Open to Dominic Thiem, and 2024 Roland Garros to Alcaraz.

“You’re just too good. It’s as simple as that,” he told Sinner.

I want to thank my team. We’re trying to do all the right work. I’m just not good enough. It’s as simple as that.

“I don't know if I'll ever be able to lift the trophy but I'll keep coming back, I'll keep trying.”

Encouraged Sinner, “Keep believing in yourself.”

Set 1

Both players struck the ball well from the baseline, with Sinner often getting the more aggressive position. The story of this set would ultimately come down to Zverev losing the forehand-to-forehand matchup and his ineffectiveness coming forward. Sinner burned him up the line whenever the German’s drop shot or volley sat up, and at 4-3, the top seed finally converted his sixth break point chance (fourth of that game) by punishing Zverev’s poor backhand approach shot.

Set 2

The overall level dipped in the front half of the set, though Zverev found his range when needed after trailing 15-40 in the third game. Sinner tugged at his left hamstring following the No. 2 seed’s hold for 4-3, but it appeared to be a nonfactor. Serving to stay in the set, the defending champion hit his spots on serve to wipe away a 0-30 deficit—and again held his nerve at 5-6, 30-30 by winning the point of the night in a 21-shot exchange. Neither player consolidated their first mini break of the tie-break, resulting in changing ends on a four-point stretch for the returner. A timely net cord went Sinner’s way to put two serves on his racquet at 5-4—and he made the most of the lucky swing with a set-ending forehand winner.

Set 3

With an extra pep in his step, Sinner continued to deny the other side any glimmer of hope with routine service game after routine service game. He wore Zverev down with his weight of shot to move ahead 4-2, and backed up the break following his most pressing game at the line in shaking off two deuces. Nerves, perhaps, crept in ever so slightly when Sinner served for the trophy—but as he did from start to finish, closed with ice in his veins to seal his third major crown after two hours and 42 minutes.