Jannik Sinner’s Indoor Mastery Rolls On Amid a Respectful Exchange With Alexander Zverev

Under the glittering lights of Vienna, Jannik Sinner once again turned the indoor court into his personal fortress. With a calm demeanor and laser-sharp focus, the Italian sensation not only captured the Vienna Open title for the second time (after 2023) in his career but also extended his staggering winning streak on indoor hard courts to 21 consecutive matches. But beyond the numbers and the trophies, what stood out was the quiet exchange of respect between two of tennis’ fiercest competitors—Sinner and Alexander Zverev.
This was their eighth meeting, and both Sinner and Zverev have been part of quite a few big matches in the past (including the 2025 AO final). With this win, the Italian superstar has now leveled his H2H record with the world number 3 to 4-4. Sinner dug deep to overcome an impressive star from the German and also shook off physical struggles in the first and third sets to secure a 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory in the 2-hour and 29-minute battle. After the match, Sinner showered praise on Zverev, saying, “Sascha, first of all, I know this year’s been difficult for you. But you’ve done brilliantly well this week, given where you were earlier in the year. Congratulations to you and your team for all you’ve achieved this week. Everything is always so nicely done with you and your team.”
If we take a look at Alexander Zverev’s record this season, although he has managed to keep his place inside the Top 3 intact, his season has been full of ups and downs. Zverev has a win-loss record of 51-22, and his only title triumph came at the BMW Open in April this year. Despite making deep runs, Zverev failed to convert them into title triumphs multiple times this year. However, despite facing yet another near miss in Vienna, Zverev didn’t forget to congratulate Sinner on his incredible triumph.
He hailed the Italian, saying, “I’d like to congratulate Jannik, whose level has been off the charts these last two years. Currently, for me, you’re the best player in the world. What an amazing year—four Grand Slam finals and two Grand Slam titles. This week, of course, simply the best player here in Vienna.” He also mentioned how Jannik Sinner’s teammates have been an integral part of his recent success.
But this wasn’t the first time that we saw Zverev hailing Sinner as one of the best in the world. In December 2024, during an interview with Tennis Magazine, he repeated a similar line, saying, “He is the best player in the world; he has won the most titles.”
For Sinner, this recent victory in Vienna wasn’t just another title—it was a statement before the ATP Finals. He has been nearly untouchable at these indoor competitions, combining precision with poise in a way that echoes the dominance of the greats before him. Each match feels like a chapter in a larger story—one where the Italian continues to redefine what consistency looks like in modern tennis.
With the ATP Finals fast approaching, Jannik Sinner’s form couldn’t be more promising. What else did he say after the match, though?
Jannik Sinner analyzes his match against Alexander Zverev
Jannik Sinner didn’t drop a set at the 2025 Vienna Open until the final against Alexander Zverev. The German’s booming serves and relentless defense turned the Vienna Open final into a test of endurance, intellect, and composure. But with this hard-fought victory, Sinner has now secured not only his tenth consecutive win in Vienna but also the 22nd title of his career.
While sharing his thoughts about this match and his incredible record at the indoor hard courts, Sinner said, “It feels amazing. It was such a difficult start in the final for me. Down a break… I had some chances in the first set, couldn’t use them. He was serving very, very well. I tried to stick there mentally. Trying to play my best tennis when it counts. Third set was a bit of a rollercoaster. I was feeling very well the ball at times. I tried to push. Very happy to win another title. It’s very special.”
Sinner was seen struggling a bit with a cramp in his left hamstring during the seventh game of the third set. However, despite all these challenges, he managed to end the match on a winning note. How difficult was it for the world number 2 to seal a ‘W’ against the number 3 in this epic duel?

via Imago
Alexander Zverev of Germany returns a forehand to Jannik Sinner of Italy returns during the finals match at Erste Bank Open 2025 at Wiener Stadthalle on October 26, 2025 in Vienna, Austria. Photo by Camilla Stolen, Imago Vienna Austria Copyright: xCamillaxStolenx L1077527
“Yeah, it was very difficult, of course. Most important is trying not to give up. Trying to stay there. Trying to see what the situation is. I just tried to make the right choices at the right time. I think that was the key today. Serving well, saving energy in my service games was important too. It was a very great performance from me, but I feel like it was from both sides,” Jannik Sinner added.
He also gave a shout-out to his family members and girlfriend, Laila Hasanovic, after the match. Sinner thanked them for their constant support.
But what does this win mean to his chase for the world number one spot against his fierce rival, Carlos Alcaraz? Well, Jannik Sinner started the competition with 10,000 points. But now with this win, he has moved to 10,500 points, i.e., he’s currently 840 points behind Carlos Alcaraz (11,340).
Both these players will now be heading into the Paris Masters. Should Jannik Sinner triumph at both events, with an unbeaten record at the ATP Finals, he would then move to 11,500 points for the year. This would mean Carlos Alcaraz would have to earn 461 points to deny Sinner a second straight year-end number one finish. So, things are getting quite interesting in the later phase of the 2025 season. Do you think Sinner can really overtake the Spaniard and finish the year on a higher note?
Written by
Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallySports. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.
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Shrabana Sengupta

