Published By: Sayan Guha

From Doping Drama to Grand Slam Glory: How Jannik Sinner Made History After 47 Years

After a season clouded by doping controversies, Jannik Sinner claimed both the Australian Open and the US Open, achieving a record-breaking feat that hadn’t been seen in 47 years

Jannik Sinner lifted the title at the 2024 US Open, a victory made all the sweeter given the challenges he suffered earlier this year. Sinner created history by defeating Taylor Fritz (6-3, 6-4, 7-5) in straight sets, becoming the first Italian male to win the US Open singles championship and the youngest player to win both the Australian and US Open in the same season.

But there's more to this story than just winning on the court. Let's go back a few months to see how a season that should have been wrecked by controversy concluded with Sinner etching his name into tennis history.

The doping distraction that nearly changed everything

Just as the tennis world prepared for the US Open, word arrived that Jannik Sinner had failed two drug tests. Sinner, noted for his tremendous serves and unshakeable focus, was suddenly under scrutiny—not for his game but for a forbidden chemical discovered in his testing.

Clostebol entered his system accidentally through a simple over-the-counter drug known as Trofodermin. The spray, which was widely distributed in Italy, was intended to cure cuts but one of its constituents was outlawed. An independent panel later exonerated Sinner, but the timing could not have been worse. The US Open was just around the corner, and murmurs about the incident persisted.

Mental strength: The unseen weapon

Winning the US Open was about Sinner's athleticism and mental toughness. Can you imagine walking onto the court knowing everyone is looking for more than just your tennis abilities? Some thought the doping issue had been handled too lightly, while others saw it as an accident. Players like Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov fanned the flames on social media.

Despite all of this, Sinner maintained his focus. "It was tough, no doubt," you could practically hear him say. However, the 23-year-old persevered, relying on the mental toughness he gained over the season. If anything, the drug distraction strengthened his determination.

A look back at his Australian triumph

Sinner's fantastic season began in January when he won the Australian Open, his first Grand Slam triumph. That triumph had been a long time coming. Sinner came back from two sets behind to beat Daniil Medvedev in a five-set thriller (3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3). The game challenged his patience, strength, and pure willpower.

The Australian Open victory set the tone for the remainder of the year. Sinner had long been seen as a future Grand Slam champion, and now he had proven it. And little did they realise that was only the beginning.

A record 47 years in the making

Winning two major championships in a single season is an impressive achievement, and when Sinner grabbed the US Open trophy, he achieved something no one had done in 47 years. Guillermo Vilas was the last player to win his first two Grand Slam championships in the same season in 1977. Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal failed to do so, but Sinner was creating history at the age of 23.

It's difficult not to be awed by the importance of this feat. The tennis world has produced numerous legends, but Sinner's 2024 season stands out. He is among the few to have won both the Australian Open and the US Open on hard courts in the same year.

For now, Sinner can reflect on a year of success, overcoming a drug distraction that might have derailed everything and cementing a spot in tennis history.