![\"TENNIS-WTA-ROME-OPEN-2026\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779040845_615_0x0.jpg\")
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Italy’s Jannik Sinner serves to Norway’s Casper Ruud during the men’s final of the ATP Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 17, 2026. (Photo by Tiziana FABI \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Jannik Sinner<\/a> continues to rewrite the tennis history books.<\/p>\n The 24-year-old world No. 1 became the first Italian man in 50 years to win the Italian Open when he defeated Casper Ruud, 6-4, 6-4, in Sunday\u2019s final. Adriano Panatta was the last Italian man to take the title in 1976.<\/p>\n Sinner won his 29th straight match, his 34th in a row in ATP Masters 1000 events and has now joined Novak Djokovic<\/a> as the only men to win all nine 1000 titles. <\/p>\n Djokovic didn\u2019t do it until he was 31. The Serb has done it twice and is a Monte Carlo title away from doing it three times.<\/p>\n Sinner has now won six straight ATP Masters 1000 titles and five in a row in 2026 \u2013 Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Monte Carlo and Rome.<\/p>\n \u201cCasper, first of all congrats to you and your whole team,” Sinner said on court<\/a>. “It\u2019s great to see you back playing the highest level of our sport. Now the most important tournament for you personally is coming up. I wish you only the best. I\u2019m very happy for you that things are going very well for you off the court, for you and your fianc\u00e9e. Wish you only the best for future events.\u201d<\/p>\n In the words of Brett Haber of Tennis Channel, Sinner pulled off \u201cthe Sunshine Double plus the Clay Court Triple.\u201d<\/p>\n The Italian is the prohibitive favorite to win the upcoming French Open where two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz <\/a>is out with a a wrist injury. <\/p>\n Italian president Sergio Mattarella was on hand to watch the match on a day when the Italian men\u2019s doubles team of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori captured the title, marking the first time in 66 years a homegrown doubles team won the title.<\/p>\n One year after losing the Italian open final to his rival <\/a>Alcaraz, Sinner faced a much different opponent in Ruud.<\/p>\n The Italian was 4-0 against Ruud coming in, including a 6-0, 6-1 destruction in last year\u2019s quarterfinals.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst of all I think the only thing to do is congratulate Jannik for his first title here,” Ruud said on court<\/a>. “What you\u2019re doing this year is hard to describe with words. As someone who\u2019s also playing tennis at the high level at times.. to realize what you\u2019re doing is really hard to describe. It\u2019s really an honor to watch you play.. To be able to share the court with you in a beautiful arena at your home Masters 1000.. congratulations to you for making history for yourself, your country, and your team.. it\u2019s fantastic to witness.\u201d<\/p>\n