Stat of the Day: Jannik Sinner becomes first Italian man to win a Grand Slam title in 48 years

Last November, Jannik Sinner led Italy to their first Davis Cup title since 1976.

On Sunday night, he ended another drought just like that one.

Sinner battled back from two sets down to defeat Daniil Medvedev in the final of the Australian Open, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3, to not only capture the first Grand Slam title of his career, but to become the first Italian man to win a Grand Slam title since 1976.

Adriano Panatta won Roland Garros that year.

Sinner is the third Italian man—and the fifth Italian player, male or female—ever to win a Grand Slam title.

He's also the only one of the group to win the Australian Open.

ITALIANS TO WIN A GRAND SLAM TITLE (men and women, all-time):
~ Nicola Pietrangeli [1959 & 1960 Roland Garros]
~ Adriano Panatta [1976 Roland Garros]
~ Francesca Schiavone [2010 Roland Garros]
~ Flavia Pennetta [2015 US Open]
~ Jannik Sinner [2024 Australian Open]

Sinner’s first Grand Slam triumph won’t move him up in the rankings—he came into the Australian Open at No. 4 and he’ll leave at No. 4—but he will cut the gap between himself and the No. 3-ranked Medvedev from 1,065 points to 455 points (8,765 to 8,310).

He’s currently tied for highest-ranked Italian player in either ATP or WTA rankings history, alongside Panatta, who got to No. 4 in 1976, and Schiavone, who also went as high as No. 4 in 2011.

But with his momentum going as it is—he’s now 27-2 since the US Open—it seems to be only a matter of time before the 22-year-old becomes the first Italian player ever to reach the Top 3.