World No. 1 Jannik Sinner defeated Taylor Fritz Sunday 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 in the U.S. Open final in front of a star-studded cast, who showed up to see if an American man could win a Grand Slam event for the first time in more than two decades.
Instead, Sinner rolled in straight sets and earned $3.6 million for the victory, pushing his season prize money to $10.6 million and tops in the sport. Fritz earned $1.8 million and has now won $4.4 million in 2024.
Sinner came to New York facing questions over revelations that he twice tested positive for low levels of a banned anabolic steroid. Last month, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) revealed that its investigation found that Sinner had “no fault or negligence.” The ITIA concluded that Sinner’s physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, used a spray containing clostebol. Several tennis pros criticized the ruling and lack of a clear and consistent substance testing policy.
Fritz had never made it past the quarterfinals in a Slam before this year’s U.S. Open. He was the first American man to reach the U.S. Open final since 2006 when Andy Roddick lost in four sets to Roger Federer. Roddick was the last American man to win a Slam singles title with his 2003 U.S. Open victory. Celebrities on hand at Arthur Ashe Stadium at Flushing Meadows included Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, Usher, Jon Bon Jovi and Matthew McConaughey.
In January, Sinner won his first Grand Slam at the Australian Open. He was the second Italian man to win a Major in the Open Era and first in 48 years.
Last month, Sinner turned 23 years old, and his win continues the changing of the guard in men’s tennis. Between 2003 and 2023, tennis’ Big Three of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Federer won 67 of the 81 Grand Slams played. The trio won at least two Slams each of those years but was shut out in 2024 as 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz won the French Open and Wimbledon.
Djokovic lost in the third round in New York, while Nadal withdrew ahead of the event and Federer retired in 2022.
