"It was never in doubt": McEnroe, Wilander, and Henmann discuss Jannik Sinner's triumph over Alexander Zverev in Australia
ATP
There were few doubts about Jannik Sinner's status as the favourite in the Australian Open final, following an incredible past year and as the defending champion. However, facing him was Alexander Zverev, World No. 2, competing in his third Grand Slam final and hoping to surprise the Italian.
Tim Henman, John McEnroe, Mats Wilander, and Laura Robson weighed in on Eurosport about the performance of the 23-year-old, who emerged as a deserving champion after defeating several top-tier players along the way.
"A worthy champion, a brilliant performance. From where I was sitting, you just felt it was never in doubt," commented former World No. 4 Henman on Eurosport. "His third Slam and Zverev’s third defeat in a final. In the most important moments, it was Sinner who stepped up, took the bull by the horns, and played the most aggressive tennis, and he’s got the outcome he wanted again."
"He’s the man setting the gold standard right now; he’s just been imperious over the course of the fortnight," added British sports commentator Nick Mullins. "No one really came close to challenging him."
The Italian showed from the start that he had not lost his form from 2024. He defeated the tricky Nicolas Jarry in the first round and advanced through the opening week with ease, overcoming Tristan Schoolkate and Marcos Giron.
In the Round of 16, a bigger challenge awaited in 13th seed Holger Rune, but Sinner dispatched him in four sets. From that point, he gave no chances to his subsequent opponents: wins over Alex De Minaur (6-3, 6-2, 6-1), Ben Shelton (7-6, 6-2, 6-2), and Zverev (6-3, 7-6, 6-3) secured his third Grand Slam title.
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"A flawless performance from Sinner," said Mats Wilander after the match. "This always felt like it was his match; from the first game, he had that little bit of firepower, that little bit of consistency. Phenomenal performance from Jannik Sinner," commented Laura Robson.
"[Sinner] did get into Zverev’s head, I’m not denying that," said seven-time Grand Slam champion John McEnroe. "I thought [Zverev] would try to get into a war of attrition, test Sinner, who cramped two days ago and got sick four days ago. He wasn’t able to do that, but you have to give credit to Jannik, who took him right out of the match."
McEnroe also highlighted Zverev's puzzling drop in form. "I was really surprised at the level Zverev came up with at the end of the second set and the third set. I don’t know what happened to him… He had no energy, he was flat as a pancake. He looked like the guy who got sick a couple of days ago, he looked weary and had played one set in five days. I don’t know what happened."
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On the other hand, Wilander raised concerns about Zverev’s ability to recover from his third Grand Slam final loss. "I’m starting to wonder if there is the self-belief," Wilander said. "When I see this performance, not in terms of how he hit the ball or tactics, but in terms of emotional input, I’m starting to wonder if…
"I’m sure he believes early in the match, but you have to believe in the third set when you win the first point in the last game. You have to bluff your opponent, and when he doesn’t do that, it worries me, to be honest."
Sin's City!
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2025
Jannik reigns supreme to capture second #AusOpen crown!@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/RnIJ8HBcrE
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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