World number one Jannik Sinner leaves the controversy surrounding a positive doping test behind him and wins his first US Open

World number one Jannik Sinner went into the US Open despite controversy after failing two doping tests in March. He was cleared last month, but the story hung over Sinner and the Open as everyone from Novak Djokovic to Nick Kyrgios to Roger Federer spoke out.

Nevertheless, the 23-year-old Italian left the distractions behind to win his first US Open and second major title of 2024 with a decisive 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 victory over No. 12 Taylor Fritz in the final on Sunday. The packed Arthur Ashe Stadium included Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, Jon Bon Jovi, Matthew McConaughey and Noah Lyles, among others.

It was Sinner’s 11th consecutive victory and he will receive a paycheck of $3.6 million. Fritz, who was competing in his first Grand Slam final, earned $1.8 million.

“This title means so much to me because the last phase of my career was really not easy,” said Sinner on the court. “I love tennis, I train a lot for such stages, but I also realize that there is life off the court too.

“I want to dedicate this title to my aunt because she is really not in good health. It’s so nice that I can still share great moments with her. She was and still is a big part of my life.”

Sinner won the Australian Open in January and shared the four majors this year with Carlos Alcaraz. It was the first time since 2002 that no member of the “Big 3” – Djokovic, Federer and Rafael Nadal – won a major.

Fritz, the 26-year-old Californian and the top-ranked American in the world rankings, was the first American to reach a major final in 15 years and the first to win the Open since 2006. The American drought for major titles began in 2003, when Andy Roddick won the Open.

The European men have now won 78 of the last 79 majors.

“I know we’ve waited a long time for a champion, so I’m sorry I didn’t make it,” Fritz said on the court. “I’ll keep working and hopefully I’ll make it next time.”

Despite the loss, he made an impressive run to the final, defeating No. 8 Casper Ruud, No. 4 Alexander Zverev and No. 20 Frances Tiafoe.

Fritz’s defeat came 24 hours after American Jessica Pegula, playing in her first Grand Slam final, lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the women’s final.

In March, Sinner was found to be in possession of a banned substance, but he escaped punishment.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) acquitted Sinner after he failed two doping tests. However, he has always maintained his innocence and stated that less than a billionth of a gram of clostebol was found in his body.

According to the Associated Press, the packaging of the over-the-counter spray sold in Italy that caused the positive test has the word “DOPING” printed in capital letters inside a crossed-out red circle.

Sinner parted ways with his physio and fitness coach before the Open and stayed in close contact with him even after the doping allegations. People close to him say he has learned who his friends are – and who are not.

“In my head, I know I did nothing wrong,” Sinner said. “I always respect these anti-doping rules – and I will always respect them.”

In the first set, Sinner managed three break moves against Fritz, who had won a grueling five-set victory over Tiafoe in the all-American semifinal on Friday.

Fritz tried to keep up with Sinner from the baseline, but couldn’t quite match his power. Sinner won the first set on his third break when Fritz hit a backhand long.

“He’s just not as good as Sinner in and out of the corners,” John McEnroe said on ESPN.

In the second set, Sinner broke Fritz again with a backhand winner along the line, giving him a two-set lead.

In the third set, Fritz held on to a 15:40 deficit to make it 3:3. He hit a forehand winner and won the match.

The American then managed a break against Sinner to make it 4-3 when the Italian made a double fault on the break point, sending the crowd into ecstasy.

“He lets Fritz take over the court, which didn’t happen in the first two sets,” McEnroe said.

Nevertheless, Fritz approached the net on the break ball, sank a forehand volley and the score was 5:5.

Sinner held on to make it 6:5 and Fritz had to hold on to stay there.

He quickly fell behind 30-0. Fritz sank a sweeping forehand volley that led to double match point, then sent a forehand into the net. The two men embraced at the net.

“Incredible, so many big wins for me this year,” said Sinner. “The work never stops, I know I can still improve. You have to be proud of what you have, but you have to work for it, so I can’t wait to continue my process.”