Jannik Sinner will try to defend his Rotterdam title in February
Jannik Sinner will become world no. 1 on Monday, passing Novak Djokovic and standing as the 29th player on the ATP throne. While chasing his first Roland Garros title this week, Jannik confirmed his participation at the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam next year, seeking the title defense at the prestigious indoor event.
Sinner applauded the Rotterdam crowd, saying they are always respectful, even when you face the home player. The tournament director, Richard Krajicek, did not hide his happiness, praising the young Italian as one of the world’s biggest tennis stars and highlighting he could return to Rotterdam as world no.
1. Sinner reached the Rotterdam quarter-final on his debut in 2020 before reaching the title clash three years later.
Daniil Medvedev toppled the Italian after a fine performance in sets two and three.
Jannik returned this February and took down five rivals (two Dutch players) to lift the trophy and extend his great run following the Australian Open. It was Sinner’s third consecutive ATP 500 crown, and he earned it with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Alex de Minaur in two hours and five minutes.
Jannik landed in 56% of the first serve and struggled behind the second serve, facing six break points and saving four. The Aussie played against eight break points, losing serve four times and settling for the runner-up spot.
Jannik claimed three points more than his rival, taming his strokes nicely and prevailing in the pivotal ones. They served well in the early stages, locking the result at 2-2 before de Minaur faced issues.
Jannik Sinner will compete in Rotterdam in 2025.
The Aussie sprayed a drop shot error in the fifth game, losing serve and pushing the Italian in front.
Jannik cemented the lead with a backhand crosscourt winner in game six and held easily two games later for 5-3, forcing his rival to serve to stay in the set. De Minaur reduced the deficit and made a push on the return at 4-5.
Alex denied four set points and converted the second break point after a thrilling rally, sending Jannik to the ground and extending the battle. Sinner remained composed and fired a couple of backhand winners in the 11th game, securing a break and serving for the set for the second time.
The Italian landed a service winner on a set point, clinching the opener 7-5 after 64 minutes.
Jannik saved two break points at 1-2 in the second set and grabbed a break in the next one after Alex’s routine backhand error, opening a set and a break advantage.
Eager to fight until the end, de Minaur pulled the break back at 15 in game six with a winner at the net. However, he could not stay on the positive side for too long, netting a backhand in game seven and falling 4-3 behind.
The Italian cemented the lead with a hold at 30 in game eight and served for the title at 5-4. World no. 4 painted a forehand crosscourt winner for two match points and landed a service winner on the second, lifting his first Rotterdam trophy.