Jannik Sinner became the first Italian to win the ATP Finals title with a straight-sets victory over American Taylor Fritz in Turin.

World number one Sinner capped a superb year, in which he also won the first two Grand Slam titles of his career, with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over fifth-place Fritz.

With this victory – his 70th in 2024 – the 23-year-old became the first player to win the title at the ATP Finals without losing a set since Ivan Lendl in 1986.

Amid his remarkable success in 2024, the reigning Australian Open and US Open champion has also been embroiled in an ongoing doping controversy that has left his immediate future in the sport uncertain.

“It’s incredible, it’s my first title in Italy and it means so much to me,” said Sinner, who was serenaded by the crowd as he returned to the pitch for his post-match interview .

“It’s something very special. It was a very high level tournament from me. Sometimes I couldn’t have played better, so I’m very happy.”

After a spectacular light show and dramatic music built the tension, Sinner received a hair-raising welcome as he made his way onto the pitch in front of his home support.

The local favorite rose to the occasion, losing just one point in his first three service games before breaking Fritz’s resistance with a sumptuous drop shot on his fourth break point in the seventh game.

Sinner landed 16 winners and 10 aces in a clinical first set, but had to put aside a first break point for Fritz before taking his second set point on serve.

However, Fritz, who lost the US Open final to Sinner in straight sets, was powerless to fend off his relentless opponent and failed to create another opportunity.

The American, expected to reach a career-high world number four on Monday, hit long to concede a break in the fifth game of the second set – and once again Sinner kept his cool to win victory and delight the Turin public.

Fritz said: “It’s been a very good week for me, it’s a good way to end the year and it gives me a lot of confidence. I have a good idea of ​​what I need to improve on, but I I also feel like I’m playing really good tennis.”

Earlier on Sunday, German eighth seeds Tim Putz and Kevin Krawietz beat top seeds Marcelo Arevalo 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (8-6) to win their first title in the final of the ATP.

The eight-day ATP Finals are contested by the eight singles players and eight doubles teams who have accumulated the most ranking points during the season.

The ATP confirmed after Sinner’s victory that the tournament would remain in Italy until 2030 – although location options “are being evaluated” after next year’s event in Turin.