Jannik Sinner has etched his name into tennis history, becoming only the second man to complete the career “Golden Masters” – winning all nine ATP Masters 1000 titles. The 24-year-old Italian achieved this remarkable feat with a dominant victory over Casper Ruud in the Italian Open final, securing his place alongside Novak Djokovic in an elite club.
Sinner’s triumph in Rome was not just personally significant but also a historic moment for Italian tennis. He is the first Italian man in half a century to lift the Italian Open trophy, following in the footsteps of Adriano Panatta, who last achieved the feat in 1976. This victory in 2026 marks another milestone in what has been a sensational run for the World No. 1.
Sinner’s dominant streak continues
The Italian Open win extended Sinner’s impressive run of form, marking his 29th consecutive victory overall. Even more remarkably, he has now secured his 34th consecutive win in ATP Masters 1000 events, underscoring his current dominance at this level. His recent record in these prestigious tournaments is particularly striking:
- Sinner has won the last six ATP Masters 1000 events.
- Five of these six victories came in the 2026 season alone.
This consistent excellence has seen Sinner emerge as the clear heir apparent in men’s tennis. His achievement of completing the career set of Masters 1000 titles at 24 years old contrasts sharply with Djokovic, who was 31 when he first accomplished the same feat. Following his Italian Open victory, Sinner extended gracious words to his opponent.
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“Casper first of all, congrats to you and your whole team. It’s great to see you back playing the highest level of our sport. Now the most important tournament for you personally is coming up. I wish you only the best. I’m very happy for you that things are going very well for you off the court, for you and your fiancée. Wish you only the best for future events,” Sinner said, as reported by TheTennisLetter.
Djokovic’s legacy and the changing guard
While Sinner celebrates his singular achievement, Djokovic’s legacy remains formidable. The Serbian maestro has not only completed the career Masters 1000 set twice but is also just one Monte Carlo victory away from completing it for an unprecedented third time. With 24 Grand Slam titles to his name, Djokovic has long been the benchmark for greatness.
However, the landscape of men’s tennis is undeniably shifting. Djokovic has not won a Grand Slam since 2023, and he is reportedly struggling with his fitness ahead of the upcoming French Open. Compounding this, Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner’s primary rival for the top spot, has been ruled out of Roland Garros due to injury. This confluence of events positions Jannik Sinner as the overwhelming favorite for the next major, cementing his status at the pinnacle of the sport.
Sources: TheTennisLetter
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