Australian Open 2025: Zverev's challenge to defending champion Yannick Sinner in the final – Global News Desk

When world number one Yannick Sinner takes the court against Germany's Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open final on Sunday, he will face the challenge of defending his title. It has happened very rarely in men's singles that a player has successfully defended his first career Grand Slam title. Last time Rafael Nadal had achieved such a feat by winning the French Open title in 2005 and 2006. Sinner is facing many challenges which also includes the issue of doping. This matter is still under consideration. Small amounts of anabolic steroids were confirmed twice in his sample in March last year. However, this thing was made public at the time of the start of the US Open. He then won the US Open title. However, on the appeal of the World Anti-Doping Agency, the case is to be heard in April.

During the last two weeks during the Australian Open, Sinner has also had to deal with health issues. He felt dizzy during his match against Holger Rune, ranked 13th in the world, in the fourth round. He suffered a hamstring injury in the semi-finals against Ben Shelton, ranked 21st in the world. After which he needed medical help.

Sinner will face the challenge of becoming the youngest person to win this title twice in a row after Jim Courier (1992 and 1993). 27-year-old Zverev, who is ranked second in the world rankings, has reached the Grand Slam finals twice before and has been disappointed both times. He will try his best to defeat Sinner and win his first title. He failed to capitalize on a two-set lead in the US Open 2020 final against Dominic Thiem. Last year, Carlos Alcaraz defeated him in the final of the French Open. However, Zverev did not face much trouble to reach the final. He faced the challenge of Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals but the 24-time Grand Slam champion decided to withdraw from the match after just one set due to a leg injury.

(Input- PTI)