Jannik Sinner is doing things nobody has ever done before. The world number one demolished Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-2 in just 58 minutes on Sunday to win the Madrid Open — and in doing so, became the first man in history to win five consecutive Masters 1,000 titles. The tennis world is running out of words for what this 24-year-old is doing.
Sinner has now won the Paris Masters, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, and Madrid back to back. No man has ever strung five consecutive Masters titles together — not Novak Djokovic, not Rafael Nadal, not Roger Federer. Djokovic came closest, winning five in a row on two separate occasions, but gaps in his schedule — skipping Monte Carlo and Madrid at key points — meant those runs carried an asterisk. Sinner’s five titles are clean. Consecutive. Unbroken.
“I think there is a lot of work behind it,” Sinner said after the match. “A lot of dedication and sacrifice I put in every day. Obviously, it means a lot to me, seeing these results. At some point, results are going to be down, which is normal. I’m very happy that I’ve continued to believe in myself.”
A Final That Was Over Before It Started
Zverev, the world number three and a two-time Madrid champion, never got a foothold. Sinner raced to a 5-0 lead in the opening set, converted all four break points he earned, and didn’t face a single break point himself across the entire match. He broke again for 2-1 in the second set, then for 5-2, and served out the title without drama. It was a performance of breathtaking efficiency — clinical, cold, and completely dominant.
Sinner has now beaten Zverev in nine consecutive meetings. The German is one of the best players on the planet. Right now, against Sinner, he simply has no answers.
The Italian’s current run of form is almost hard to process. He won three consecutive hard court Masters events — Paris, Indian Wells and Miami — without dropping a single set, setting a record of 37 straight sets won. Czech player Tomas Machac finally took a set off him in Monte Carlo, snapping that streak in the third round. Sinner hasn’t dropped one since. That includes the Monte Carlo final against Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning champion and his fiercest rival.
What Comes Next — and Why the Tennis World Should Be Nervous
Rome is next week. If Sinner wins there, he matches Djokovic’s achievement of a career Golden Masters — winning all nine Masters 1,000 titles at least once. Only Djokovic has ever done it. Sinner would become just the second man in history to complete the set.
Then comes Roland Garros. Sinner arrives in Paris as the overwhelming favourite — and with Alcaraz withdrawn from the French Open due to a wrist injury, the path looks clearer than ever. Alcaraz — who in January became the youngest man ever to complete the career Grand Slam with his Australian Open victory — will not be there to defend his title or challenge Sinner on the clay he loves.
Should Sinner win Roland Garros, he completes his own career Grand Slam — winning all four majors at least once. Only nine men in history have achieved the feat. He would become the tenth.
Twelve months ago, Sinner was serving a three-month doping ban and lost the Madrid final to Alcaraz on his return. Today he stands alone at the top of men’s tennis, rewriting the record books week by week. The only question left is how far this run goes.
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A: Sinner became the first man in history to win five consecutive Masters 1,000 titles, claiming Madrid after previous victories in Paris, Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte Carlo.
A: Sinner defeated Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-2 in 58 minutes. It was his ninth consecutive victory over the German world number three.
A: The Golden Masters refers to winning all nine ATP Masters 1,000 tournaments at least once during a career. Only Novak Djokovic has achieved the feat. Sinner can match it by winning in Rome next week.
A: Yes. Sinner has won the Australian Open and US Open. A victory at Roland Garros — where he is the heavy favourite following Alcaraz’s withdrawal — would give him all four majors and make him only the tenth man in history to complete the career Grand Slam.
A: No. Alcaraz has withdrawn from Roland Garros with a wrist injury. The Spaniard, who became the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam with his Australian Open win in January, will not defend his French Open title.
