SUMMARY
- In the Rotterdam finals, Alex de Minaur pushed Jannik Sinner to the limit.
- De Minaur's lighthearted remark during the trophy presentation added a humorous touch to their rivalry.
Alex de Minaur may not have clinched victory in the 2024 Rotterdam Open final against Jannik Sinner, but his performance earned him admiration across the tennis world. Sinner’s consecutive wins, including a 7-5 6-4 victory, extended his dominance over de Minaur, yet the match showcased a fierce battle, with de Minaur displaying remarkable skill and resilience against his formidable opponent.
Rising to a career-high ranking of World No.9, Alex de Minaur proved his mettle, pushing the Australian Open champion to the limit. In a display of sportsmanship, Sinner acknowledged the challenge posed by de Minaur, stating, “Alex, once again against you it’s very tough… You’re one of the kindest guys on tour…It’s really nice to have you around…”
Jannik Sinner after beating Alex de Minaur in Rotterdam Final:
“Alex, once again against you it’s very tough. It’s better if we see each other playing doubles on the same side than playing against each other 😂You’re one of the kindest guys on tour. It’s really nice to have you… pic.twitter.com/XzquL0G5IK
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 18, 2024
His words reflected the respect shared between the two competitors, despite their intense rivalry on the court. Tennis enthusiasts and analysts lauded de Minaur’s performance against the reigning Australian Open champion, recognizing his resilience and skill against one of the most dominant players in men’s tennis.
Despite falling short in the final, de Minaur remained gracious, jokingly remarking during the trophy presentation, “I asked him jokingly if he’s going to lose a match…He’s playing at an incredible level and is just too good. I’ll get you back next time.” However, the loss in the Rotterdam Open final, coupled with the previous defeat to Sinner in the Davis Cup 2023 semifinals, undoubtedly stung de Minaur.
Alex De Minaur, who is now 0-7 vs. Jannik Sinner: pic.twitter.com/LNEBNEcexR
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) February 19, 2024
In a lighthearted social media post following the match, he made a tongue-in-cheek remark aimed at Sinner, humorously stating, “I don’t like you.” Despite the playful prank, it’s clear that de Minaur’s competitive spirit remains undiminished, setting the stage for future encounters between the two formidable opponents. Hopefully, the tide can turn next time.
Jannik Sinner’s h2h dominance over Alex de Minaur
The tennis rivalry between Jannik Sinner and Alex de Minaur has unfolded across prestigious tournaments, underlining Sinner’s dominance with a flawless head-to-head record of 7-0. Their recent encounter in the Rotterdam finals was no exception, as Sinner once again exhibited his superiority, defeating an in-form de Minaur in straight sets.
This victory mirrored their previous matchups, where Sinner consistently outplayed de Minaur to emerge victorious. In the 2023 Davis Cup World Group final, Sinner delivered a commanding performance, defeating de Minaur with a comprehensive score of 6-3, 6-0 in the second rubber. During the Paris Masters last year, Sinner received a walkover from the Australian.
ITALY WINS THE DAVIS CUP after 47 (!) years.
Jannik Sinner beats Alex De Minaur 6-3, 6-0 and Italy defeats Australia to win the Davis Cup for the 2nd time, first since 1976. pic.twitter.com/Okm786rhON
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) November 26, 2023
They have battled on various surfaces, from the clay courts of the Mutua Madrid Open to the hard courts of the Australian Open. In the 2022 Mutua Madrid Open, Sinner once again asserted his dominance with a straight-sets victory of 6-4, 6-1 over de Minaur in the second round. Their Grand Slam encounter in the 2022 Australian Open also saw Sinner emerge triumphant, with a 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-4 victory in the fourth round.
Despite these setbacks, de Minaur remains resolute in his quest to break the Italian’s hold and secure his first win against his adversary. Their rivalry continues to intensify, setting the stage for potentially more intense clashes in the future as de Minaur strives to overcome the formidable challenge posed by Sinner.