Jannik Sinner can become the 12th man to reach the finals at both hard-court Grand Slams in the same season at the 2024 US Open. Sinner won his maiden major title at the Australian Open in January, where he came back from two sets to love down to beat Daniil Medvedev in his first Grand Slam final. If Medvedev reaches the US Open final, he will become just the fourth player to achieve the feat multiple times after Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
The US Open has been played on hard courts since moving to Flushing Meadows in 1978, while the Australian Open switched from grass to hard courts when it moved to Melbourne Park in 1988.
Here, we look at the 11 players who have reached the finals at both hard-court majors in men’s singles since 1988.
The Elite Group
Mats Wilander won both the Australian Open and the US Open in the first year both tournaments were staged on hard courts in 1988. The Swede defeated Pat Cash in the final in Melbourne and Ivan Lendl in the title match in New York — both in five sets.
Ivan Lendl saw off Miroslav Mecir in straight sets to win the Australian Open in 1989 and he also reached the US Open final later that year. At Flushing Meadows, the Czech was beaten in four sets by Boris Becker.
Stefan Edberg was a runner-up at the 1992 Australian Open, where he lost to Jim Courier in four sets in the championship match. The Swede then secured the US Open crown in the same season, beating Pete Sampras in four sets in the final.
Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras faced off in the finals at both the hard-court Grand Slam tournaments in 1995. Agassi defeated Sampras in four sets in the final at the Australian Open to triumph on his debut at the Melbourne major. Sampras earned his revenge at the 1995 US Open, where he downed his rival and compatriot in four sets.
Michael Chang is one of only two men to lose in the championship match at the Australian Open and the US Open in the same year. In 1996, he lost a four-set Australian Open title match to Becker and fell in a straight-set US Open final to Sampras.
Federer claimed both of the hard-court major crowns in 2004, beating Marat Safin in the Australian Open final and Lleyton Hewitt in the US Open final. The Swiss repeated the feat in 2006 with title match wins over Marcos Baghdatis and Andy Roddick, before doing the double for the third time in 2007, when he overcame Fernando Gonzalez and Djokovic in the finals.
In 2009, Federer joined Chang by losing both the Australian Open and US Open finals in the same season with defeats to Nadal and Juan Martin del Potro in the respective title matches.
Djokovic won the Australian Open and the US Open in 2011 with victories over Andy Murray and Nadal in the finals. He defended his Australian Open crown in 2012 by seeing off Nadal, before losing to Murray in the US Open title match. The Serb contested both finals again in 2013, beating Murray in Melbourne and falling to Nadal in New York.
In 2015, Djokovic secured both hard-court majors, downing Murray in Australia and Federer in the United States. Djokovic beat Murray again in 2016 to defend his Australian Open title, before losing his US Open crown in a championship match loss to Stan Wawrinka later that year.
In 2023, Djokovic saw off Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open final and Medvedev in the US Open final to complete the hard-court double for a record-equalling third time — matching Federer.
Nadal reached both the Australian Open and the US Open finals in 2017 and 2019, and on both occasions he lost in Melbourne and triumphed in New York. The Spaniard lost to Federer (2017) and Djokovic (2019) in the Australian Open title matches, while he beat Kevin Anderson (2017) and Medvedev (2019) at the US Open.
In 2020, Dominic Thiem was a runner-up at the Australian Open, where he lost to Djokovic in five sets. Later that year, the Austrian edged out Alexander Zverev in a five-set US Open championship match to secure his only Grand Slam title.
In 2021, Medvedev and Djokovic met in the finals at both hard-court majors and the duo each left with a trophy from the two straight-set finals. Djokovic eased past Medvedev in the Australian Open title match, before the Russian returned the favour with a convincing US Open victory that denied the Serbian a Calendar Slam.
Can Sinner Make History?
The 2024 US Open is a crucial opportunity for Sinner to etch his name alongside these tennis greats. Sinner's recent performance in the Australian Open, coupled with his consistent progress, has positioned him as a serious contender for the US Open title.
If he can overcome the challenges posed by the tournament's other top players, Sinner could achieve a remarkable feat. A win at the US Open would not only solidify his place among the tennis elite but also elevate him to the ranks of the sport's most prominent figures.
The US Open is often a tournament where upsets can occur. However, Sinner's ability to win in the face of adversity, as seen in his Australian Open triumph, suggests that he is well-equipped to handle the pressure of a major final. He has shown the resilience and determination needed to thrive in high-stakes matches, and the US Open could be the stage for him to showcase his full potential.
The US Open and its Significance
The US Open holds a special place in tennis history, dating back to 1881.
The US Open is considered one of the four most prestigious Grand Slam tournaments, alongside the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon. These tournaments are the pinnacle of the professional tennis calendar, drawing the world's best players to compete for the coveted championship titles.
The US Open is renowned for its fast-paced, hard-court surface, which favors powerful serves and aggressive play. It also features a unique atmosphere, with its location in New York City providing a vibrant and energetic backdrop for the matches.
Sinner's Road to the US Open Final
Sinner's journey to the US Open will be a test of his skills and resolve. He will need to navigate a challenging draw, overcome the pressure of expectations, and maintain his focus throughout the fortnight.
However, if Sinner can maintain his current level of play and capitalize on opportunities, he has a real chance to achieve history at the US Open.
The Impact of a US Open Title
A US Open title would be a significant milestone in Sinner's career. It would cement his status as a top player and solidify his position among the next generation of tennis stars.
Moreover, a victory would demonstrate his ability to handle the pressure of a major final, which could serve as a springboard for future Grand Slam successes. The impact of a US Open title would extend beyond the court, as it would increase his profile and potentially attract new sponsorships and endorsements.
Sinner's US Open journey is one to watch. The tournament promises to be filled with exciting matches and thrilling moments. If Sinner can maintain his focus and play to his full potential, he has a real chance to make history and achieve the coveted double.
What If Sinner Doesn't Win?
Even if Sinner does not win the US Open, his performance will be closely analyzed.
Reaching the final would still be a major accomplishment, demonstrating his progress and potential.
Regardless of the outcome, Sinner's participation in the US Open is a testament to his talent and dedication to the sport. He is a rising star who is poised for greatness.
The US Open is a tournament where legends are made. Sinner has the opportunity to make his mark on tennis history.
