Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner win at the Australian Open
The GIST: One epic fortnight Down Under later, a defending champ retained their Australian Open crown, while a rising star clinched their first-ever Grand Slam title. Crikey!
Women’s: For the second time in as many years, No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka won the Australian Open, defeating No. 12 Zheng Qinwen in speedy straight sets early Saturday morning. The first back-to-back women’s tourney winner since 2013, Sabalenka showcased her signature power to break Zheng’s typically punishing serve.
- Sabalenka didn’t drop a single set Down Under and has now made it to at least the semifinals of every Grand Slam since the 2022 U.S. Open.
- And even better, with this win, Sabalenka fulfilled a dream she shared with her late father: to win a couple Slams by age 25. Pass the tissues.
Men’s: No. 4 Jannik Sinner launched an incredible comeback to claim his first major title yesterday morning, overcoming nerves and a two-set deficit to top No. 3 Daniil Medvedev. And Sunday’s match wasn’t just Sinner’s maiden Slam win. It also marked the first Australian Open final without any of the “Big 3” — Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer — since 2005.
- It’s a milestone moment that could signal a generational shift in the men’s game, though the Joker, who Sinner defeated in the semis, insists he’s far from done.
