Jannik Sinner normally employs his powerful serve, on-court speed and rocket forehand to dispatch opponents, but the world No. 1 said the "mental part" of his game was especially important in his run to the U.S. Open title this year.
News of two failed doping tests broke just days ahead of the year's final major, and although Sinner was cleared of wrongdoing by an independent tribunal, the saga threatened to tarnish a dream season that saw him claim five titles, including his first major at the Australian Open.
"I understood, especially in this tournament, how important the mental part is in this sport," Sinner said in an on-court interview after his 135-minute 6-3 6-4 7-5 victory over 12th seed Taylor Fritz on Sunday.
The 23-year-old became the first Italian man to claim a U.S. Open singles title and the youngest man to ever win both hard-court Grand Slam titles in a single season with wins in Melbourne and New York.
Unsure if he would be welcomed by the Flushing Meadows crowds or jeered after some media and current and former players claimed the world No. 1 received favourable treatment, Sinner said he leaned on family and his training team to help tune out the distractions.
Social media posts from former top-10 player Denis Shapovalov and Australian Nick Kyrgios have been particularly harsh, while a 19-month doping ban then exoneration of former doubles British No. 1 Tara Moore further fuelled the debate about a double standard.
New rivalries forged at US Open
A U.S. Open full of upsets and hungry, young contenders offered the latest sign that men's tennis has entered a new era, with 2024 marking the first time in more than two decades that none of the "Big Three" claimed a Grand Slam title.
With Federer retired and Nadal struggling to get back on court due to injuries, Djokovic was the last man of that golden generation standing at Flushing Meadows, but the Serb crashed out in the third round to Australian Alexei Popyrin.
While Djokovic's wait for a record 25th Grand Slam goes on, Jannik Sinner picked up his second major of the year with his victory over Taylor Fritz in Sunday's final.
The Italian also won the Australian Open and with 21-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz claiming the French Open and Wimbledon titles, the old guard were shut out of the Slams for the first time since 2002.
Sinner and Alcaraz are the only two men born after 2000 to reach a major final.
There were early clues that it would not be business as usual for the favourites at Flushing Meadows.
Strained from his victorious Olympic campaign in Paris, four-time U.S. Open champion Djokovic went down in four sets to Popyrin.
"I spent a lot of energy winning the gold, and I did arrive to New York just not feeling fresh mentally and physically," said 37-year-old Djokovic.
"But because it's U.S. Open, you know, I gave it a shot and I tried my best."
Alcaraz, who lost to Djokovic in the energy-sapping Olympic final, also went out early, stunned by Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round.
