ATP 500 VIENNA
Jannik Sinner once again proved his resilience and class on hard courts, battling past Alexander Zverev 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to reclaim the ATP 500 title in Vienna, the same tournament he won in 2023. The World No. 2 fought through both a slow start and recurring physical struggles to clinch victory after two hours and 29 minutes, lifting what was his 21st career ATP title.
Zverev came out firing, striking cleanly from both wings and breaking Sinner early in the fourth game. The Italian appeared in discomfort, limping between points and bringing back memories of his cramping episode in Shanghai earlier this month. The German, a former Vienna champion in 2021, capitalized on the opportunity to secure the opening set.
Sinner, however, found his rhythm and composure in the second set. Dictating rallies with his trademark precision and depth, he broke Zverev’s serve twice and forced a decider. Despite again showing signs of fatigue and cramp in his left hamstring midway through the third set, Sinner refused to fade. He adapted by shortening points, increasing aggression, and even resorting to the unconventional remedy of pickle juice during changeovers to stay in the fight.
In the end, Sinner’s tactical sharpness and mental fortitude turned the tide. The Italian has now won five titles in 2025, all on hard courts, including triumphs in Rotterdam, Miami, and Toronto, further establishing himself as one of the tour’s most dominant players on this surface. He owns a match record of 38-5 on hard courts this season and has defeated Top 10 opponents eight times in that span.
With his latest success in Vienna, Sinner not only defends his crown but also strengthens his claim as the man to beat on hard courts — a surface that continues to bring out his most complete and commanding tennis.
“It feels amazing,” said Sinner, who is now on a 21-match winning streak on indoor hard courts. “It was such a difficult start in this final for me. I went a break down, had some chances in the first set but couldn’t use them. He was serving very well, but I just tried to stick there mentally and play my best tennis when it came.
“The third set was a bit of a rollercoaster, but I was feeling the ball very well at times, so I tried to push and I’m very happy of course to win another title. It’s very special.”