Sinner Close to Historic Title at Rome Tournament. In the final of the Rome tournament, Jannik Sinner is battling Casper Ruud for his last missing Masters 1000 title. A victory would allow the Italian to equal Djokovic's record and secure his place in history.
The final of the prestigious tennis tournament Internazionali d’Italia is underway in Rome, where Jannik Sinner is on the verge of a unique achievement. The Italian tennis player, who has already won eight different Masters 1000 tournaments, is fighting for the only missing title — a victory on home soil. If successful, Sinner will become only the second player in history after Novak Djokovic to win all nine trophies in this category.
In the decisive match, Sinner's opponent is Norwegian Casper Ruud. Both athletes are showing a high level of play: Sinner confidently advanced through the semifinals by defeating Daniil Medvedev, while Ruud eliminated another Italian, Luciano Darderi. The tension was noticeable on the court from the opening games of the final: Sinner actively used drop shots, while Ruud responded with powerful serves and long rallies. The key moment came with Sinner leading 5-4, when he used drop shots three times and managed to convert a break point.
The stands at Foro Italico are packed to capacity, with Italian President Sergio Mattarella also watching the match. The atmosphere in the stadium underlines the importance of the event: the last time an Italian won this tournament was half a century ago, when Adriano Panatta celebrated victory. Interest in the final is also fueled by the fact that Sinner is on an incredible run — he has won his last five Masters 1000 tournaments, including Paris, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, and Madrid, and is unbeaten at this level for 33 consecutive matches.
Fans were also intrigued by the details of Sinner's preparation: on the eve of the final, he used an unusual method to combat cramps — a special pickle juice, which is not drunk but used as a mouth rinse to stimulate the receptors. This approach sparked discussion among experts and fans.
The head-to-head record is also in Sinner's favor: he has won all four previous matches against Ruud, including last year's tournament in Rome. The 2026 final is broadcast live on several platforms, including Tv8 and Sky Sport, and text coverage is available on Gazzetta.it. Such major sporting events traditionally attract interest not only in Italy but also in Spain, where attention to tennis remains consistently high. For comparison, a recent Champions League final between Arsenal and Atlético was held in London, which also saw a sell-out crowd and became a subject of discussion among Spanish fans — you can read more about this in the article about the Champions League final in London.
If Sinner manages to win, he will not only equal Djokovic's record but also become the first Italian in 50 years to win a home tournament of this level. His path to the final included victories at the largest tournaments in recent years: Montreal (2023), Miami, Cincinnati and Shanghai (2024), Paris (2025), as well as Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and Madrid this season. This result strengthens Italy's position on the world tennis stage and highlights the country's growing interest in the sport.
