Sports
Sinner Clinches Historic ATP Finals Victory in Turin
Jannik Sinner made history as the first Italian to win the ATP Finals title, securing a straight-set triumph over American Taylor Fritz in Turin. The world number one capped an extraordinary 2024 season, highlighted by his first two Grand Slam victories, with a decisive 6-4, 6-4 win against the fifth-ranked Fritz.
This landmark win marked Sinner’s 70th victory of the year, making him the first player to capture the ATP Finals title without dropping a set since Ivan Lendl achieved the feat in 1986. Despite his dominant performances throughout the season, Sinner’s remarkable year has been shadowed by an ongoing doping controversy that has cast doubt over his future in the sport.
“It’s amazing – it’s my first title in Italy and it means so much to me,” said Sinner, who received a warm ovation from the Turin crowd as he stepped back on court for his post-match interview. “It’s something very special. It was a very high-level tournament from my side. At times I couldn’t have played better, so I am very happy.”
The atmosphere in the Pala Alpitour was electric as a light show and dramatic music heralded Sinner’s entrance. The home favorite did not disappoint, losing just one point in his first three service games before breaking Fritz’s resolve with a deft drop shot on his fourth break point in the seventh game.
Sinner’s performance was clinical, featuring 16 winners and 10 aces in the opening set. He fended off Fritz’s lone break point and converted his second set point on serve to take the lead. Fritz, who also fell to Sinner in straight sets during the US Open final earlier this year, struggled to generate opportunities and was broken again in the fifth game of the second set. Sinner maintained composure to seal the match and elicit roaring approval from the home crowd.
Meanwhile, in the doubles final, German duo Tim Putz and Kevin Krawietz claimed their maiden ATP Finals title with a 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (8-6) victory over top seeds Marcelo Arevalo and his partner.
The ATP Finals, which feature the top eight singles players and doubles teams based on seasonal ranking points, will remain hosted in Italy until 2030, as confirmed by the ATP. However, alternative location options are being evaluated for future editions after next year’s event in Turin.
Warren Gatland is set to leave his role as Wales head coach after a record-breaking 14 consecutive Test match defeats, bringing an early end to his second tenure in charge.
Although the 61-year-old was contracted until the 2027 Rugby World Cup, he was already expected to step down after the Six Nations. Now, his departure will come midway through the tournament, with Wales still set to face Ireland on 22 February in Cardiff, Scotland on 8 March, and England on 15 March.
Possible successors include former Australia coach Michael Cheika, Glasgow’s Franco Smith, and Ireland interim boss Simon Easterby.
Gatland, who enjoyed a highly successful 12-year first stint with Wales—winning three Grand Slams and leading the team to two World Cup semi-finals—returned in December 2022 to replace Wayne Pivac. However, his second tenure has been marred by poor performances, with Wales suffering their worst losing streak in 144 years of international rugby. The 22-15 loss to Italy last weekend cemented their decline, dropping them to 12th in the world rankings.
In total, Gatland has overseen 151 Tests across both spells, with 76 wins, 73 losses, and two draws. His recent record stands at just six victories in 26 matches, a win ratio of only 23%.
Tiger Woods has pulled out of this week’s Genesis Invitational, stating he is “still processing” the recent death of his mother, Kultida Woods.
The 15-time major champion, who had initially planned to participate, announced his withdrawal on social media, saying, “I planned to tee it up this week, but I’m just not ready. I did my best to prepare, knowing it’s what my mom would have wanted, but I’m still processing her loss.”
Woods’ mother, Kultida, passed away on February 4. Just days later, tournament organizers had confirmed Woods’ participation in the event, which is now being held at Torrey Pines instead of its usual Riviera Country Club venue due to wildfires in Los Angeles.
Woods has not played a PGA Tour event since The Open at Royal Troon last July. His competitive appearances have been sporadic since a 2021 car accident left him with severe leg injuries, and he underwent additional back surgery in September. Most recently, he played alongside his son, Charlie, in a 36-hole event in December and participated in an exhibition for the Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL), which he co-founded.
As the tournament host, Woods hopes to attend the Genesis Invitational later in the week but has not committed to a specific timeline. The event benefits his TGR Foundation, which supports youth education initiatives.
Fans and fellow players have expressed their condolences and support for Woods as he navigates this difficult time.
Tottenham Hotspur defender Radu Dragusin has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his right knee. The 23-year-old sustained the injury during Spurs’ Europa League clash against Elfsborg last week and will undergo surgery.
Dragusin is expected to be sidelined for at least six months, though recovery from ACL injuries can sometimes extend to a year. Tottenham confirmed that their medical team will monitor his rehabilitation to determine his return timeline.
The Romanian international had become a key figure for Spurs, starting 21 of their last 23 games. His absence adds to an already extensive injury list, which includes Destiny Udogie, Guglielmo Vicario, James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, Timo Werner, Wilson Odobert, Cristian Romero, and Dominic Solanke. However, Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies have recently returned to action.
Dragusin joined Tottenham from Genoa in January 2024 in a £25 million deal. To bolster their defensive options, Spurs signed Austria international Kevin Danso on loan for the remainder of the season, with an option to buy for £21 million. They also made an ambitious £70 million bid for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, which was rejected, but secured the signing of 19-year-old attacker Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich.
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