Jannik Sinner is now a two-time Australian Open champion after his straight-sets final win over Alexander Zverev.
Sinner has told Zverev to keep believing after their match at Rod Laver Arena, which represents a third Grand Slam final loss for the ATP number two from his three finals.
The world number one meanwhile has won all three of his Grand Slam finals, the latest of which came via a 6-3, 7-6(7-4), 6-3 triumph over Zverev.
Sinner beat Daniil Medvedev for his first Grand Slam title this time last year, with a 2024 US Open success also going his way.
Taylor Fritz was his victim in New York, with German Zverev now the latest to feel the full force of the 23-year-old at the Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic congratulates Jannik Sinner after his Australian Open win
An intriguing final between Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic wasn’t possible after the Serbian retired hurt against Zverev in the semi-final, but the Serbian has been keeping tabs on the event despite his exit.
Djokovic congratulated Madison Keys and Aryna Sabalenka after their women’s final battle, with the 10-time Australian Open champion now doing something similar for Zverev and Sinner.
READ MORE: Who is Novak Djokovic? Step inside the life of the 24-time Grand Slam champion
“Sascha, keep believing my friend! You have it in you,” he wrote on his Instagram story, before noting “Auguri Jannik,” which means congratulations in Italian.
Carlos Alcaraz tells Alexander Zverev to ‘stay strong’ after Australian Open final loss
Alcaraz has followed Djokovic in taking to social media after the match, with the Spaniard empathising with the German.
It comes despite the four-time Grand Slam mirroring Sinner in major finals as opposed to Zverev, with four wins from his four finals thus far.
“Stay strong Alexander Zverev,” Melbourne quarter-finalist Alcaraz wrote on his Instagram story. “Your moment will come, I’m sure!”
A 23-time ATP champion, including ATP Masters 1,000 wins in Rome and Paris last year, Zverev clearly has what it takes to compete with the very best.
But he continues to fall short at the biggest stage of them all, with his Australian Open heartache following similar stories at the 2020 US Open and 2024 French Open.
Alcaraz was, of course, responsible for that Roland Garros defeat last year, with Dominic Thiem winning that clash in New York.
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