Three generations: On the Australian Open 2024
The HinduWorld tennis is a broad church. Of the three, fans could be forgiven if they did not anticipate Bopanna’s triumph, despite the Indian having had one of his best seasons in 2023 — eight finals, two titles — and entering the competition as the World No.3. But in the second half of 2023, by winning his maiden ATP Masters 1000 trophy, reaching the final of the season-ending ATP Finals and carrying Italy to its first Davis Cup since 1976, he had acquired the reputation as men’s tennis’ next superstar. With a sensational come-from-behind five-set victory over Russia’s Daniil Medvedev — a former World No.1., 2021 US Open champion and two-time finalist in Melbourne — Sinner only burnished these credentials. Ending 10-time titlist and World No.1 Novak Djokovic’s 33-match winning streak in Australia should count among Sinner’s greatest achievements.