Jannik Sinner Makes History in Rome

JAKARTA - World number one tennis player Jannik Sinner managed to defeat Casper Ruud in the final round of the 2026 Italian Open. The victory made him make history as the first Italian tennis player to climb to the highest podium since Adriano Panatta in 1976.

Sinner, who played in front of his own supporters, stopped his Norwegian opponent in a straight two-set match 6-4 and 6-4 on Sunday, May 17, 2026, WIB night. This result makes Sinner win the sixth ATP Masters 1000 title in a row.

"I think it's the 50th year since the last Italian tennis player became a champion. I'm very, very happy. There was a lot of pressure from both sides, our game was not perfect, but I'm very happy," said Sinner after the match.

In addition, this victory also makes Sinner the second player after Novak Djokovic who managed to sweep away nine ATP Masters 1000 or Career Golden Masters tournaments. Djokovic previously achieved this achievement in 2018 after winning the Cincinnati event.

Sinner started the match slowly before slowly taking control of the game through consistent and accurate shots from the back line to secure the 10th Masters 1000 trophy in his career and the first in Rome.

There were questions about Sinner's physical condition ahead of the final after he had a heavy semifinal match against Daniil Medvedev which was delayed due to rain. However, the 24-year-old looked fit and confident when facing Ruud.

"This match was very physical and heavy, but I am very happy. I also thank my physical team who helped me maintain my body condition all year," said Sinner.

Ruud actually started the match aggressively and immediately took a 2-0 lead after grabbing eight of the first nine points. However, Sinner immediately bounced back and started to find his game rhythm. At 4-4 in the first set, he used the momentum to break his opponent's serve before locking the opening set.

In the second set, Sinner immediately got an early break and continued to maintain the lead. Although he was under pressure when he made a mistake in the eighth game, he was able to save an important break point before finally securing the victory.

"I have to congratulate Jannik on his first title here. What he has done this year is very difficult to explain with words," said Ruud at the trophy presentation ceremony.

Sinner is now recorded as winning 34 consecutive Masters 1000 matches, surpassing the previous record held by Djokovic (31 wins). He also successfully swept the three Masters 1000 clay court tournaments this season - Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome - to match Rafael Nadal's achievement in 2010.

Overall, Sinner has collected five Masters 1000 titles this season and is only one trophy behind Djokovic's record of winning six Masters 1000 titles in one season.

Previously, in the women's singles category, the title was won by Elina Svitolina. The Ukrainian tennis player took home her third trophy from Rome after defeating Coco Gauff in a dramatic three-set match 6-4, 6-7 (7), and 6-2.

Svitolina has previously climbed to the highest podium in Rome through consecutive victories in 2017 and 2018. As for this latest result, it makes her the first Ukrainian player in the Open Era to win 20 WTA singles titles.

In addition, Svitolina is also the second player aged 30 or over in the Open Era to win the Italian Open after Serena Williams, who won the title in 2013, 2014, and 2016.