Jannik Sinner made tennis history on Saturday by winning the largest cash prize ever awarded in the sport, a staggering 5.5 million euros, after a hard-fought victory over Carlos Alcaraz in Saudi Arabia. In an emotional post-match moment, the 23-year-old Italian star didn’t just reflect on his victory but made sure to acknowledge the key role his supporters played in his success.
“I wouldn’t have done this without these great fans,” Sinner said with genuine emotion, adding, “I love you.” His heartfelt words came after a nail-biting contest that saw him rally back from a first-set tiebreak loss to defeat Alcaraz 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-3, in a match that will be remembered not only for the high stakes but also for the intensity of play between the two rising stars of tennis.
Sinner’s victory marked his first win against Alcaraz this season after losing their previous three encounters. The top-ranked players had been building a fierce rivalry throughout the year, and this match added another chapter to their head-to-head story. After the match, Sinner expressed his hope that their competition would continue for years to come.
The event wasn’t just about Sinner and Alcaraz. Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal also squared off in what could be one of their final clashes, with Djokovic emerging victorious 6-2, 7-6 (5). Nadal, who is set to retire after representing Spain in the Davis Cup next month, shared a touching moment with Djokovic at the net, cementing their legendary rivalry.
While Saudi Arabia’s growing involvement in international sports has raised questions about “sportswashing,” Sinner’s focus remained firmly on his fans and the special moment they had helped him achieve. “This win is for you,” he concluded, as cheers erupted from the crowd.