Rod Laver reacts as Jannik Sinner beats Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open final

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Jannik Sinner beat Alexander Zverev in straight sets to win the Australian Open title.

There was nothing stopping Sinner from winning his second Australian Open title, as he eased his way to victory on Rod Laver Arena.

His German opponent couldn’t keep up, as Sinner beat Zverev, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3, to take his Major tally to three.

Zverev was unable to capitalize on the few opportunities he carved out during the match, as he lost on the big stage once more.

His Italian rival was excellent throughout, and was a deserved winner, lifting the Australian Open trophy in front of the lively Melbourne fans.

After the match, one of the ATP Tour’s greatest-ever players sent a message to the now two-time Australian Open champion.

Rod Laver congratulates ‘exemplary’ Jannik Sinner after winning the Australian Open

Following the conclusion of the match, Australian tennis legend Rod Laver took to X, to share his thoughts.

“Congratulations, Jannik Sinner, on winning your second Australian Open men’s singles title against Sascha Zverev,” he said.

“Your performance throughout the tournament was exemplary.

“Best wishes for the rest of the season.”

Sinner’s tournament was indeed ‘exemplary’, as he took home the title having dropped just two sets along the way.

Only Holger Rune and Aussie Wild Car Tristan Schoolkate could take a set off Sinner, as the Italian dominated throughout.

Remarkably, Sinner’s 2025 campaign usurped his efforts from last time around, when he dropped one set on the way to the final, before winning a five-set thriller against Daniil Medvedev to clinch the title.

Laver went on to offer his commiserations to runner-up Zverev, who has now lost all three of his Major finals.

“Keep fighting Alexander Zverev, your time will come,” he said.

Jannik Sinner takes first step in matching Rod Laver’s Calendar Grand Slam record

Laver won all four Grand Slam titles in the same year, back in 1969, and remains the only male player to have done so during the Open Era of men’s tennis.

Many have come close, but no one has managed to win the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open in the same calendar year.

Novak Djokovic came closest in 2021, as he won the first three Slams of the year, and reached the final in New York.

It wasn’t to be, however, as he lost to Medvedev in straight sets, crushing his Calendar Grand Slam dream for another year.

Having won the Australian Open in January last year, Sinner will no doubt have had dreams of doing so himself, but fell short at both the French Open and Wimbledon.

This time around, he looks much better placed to do so, currently ranked number one in the world, and not having lost a match since early October last year.

Again it will be the Clay and Grass court Slams that pose the biggest threat, however, as Sinner’s biggest rival, Carlos Alcaraz looks to defend his titles.

The Spaniard’s career achievements outclass the 23-year-old away from the hard courts, although their head-to-head record tells a different story.

• 2024 French Open SF (Clay) – Carlos Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner in five sets
• 2022 Umag F (Clay) – Jannik Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz in three sets
• 2022 Wimbledon 4R (Grass) – Jannik Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz in four sets.

Sinner has won two of their three meetings outside of hard courts, including a stunning four-set victory at Wimbledon three years ago.

Only time will tell if Sinner can get the better of Alcaraz this year, and keep his Calendar Grand Slam hopes alive, but he’ll certainly hope to step one closer to doing so at the French Open, which begins on Sunday, May 25.