Welcome to This Week in Tennis, where we catch up on all the latest and biggest stories from the ATP and WTA Tours.
Sabalenka Repeats in Miami to Complete Sunshine Double
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Coco Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in Saturday's final to successfully defend her Miami Open title and become the first woman to complete the Sunshine Double since Iga Swiatek in 2022.
The world No. 1 is the fifth woman to win both Indian Wells and Miami in the same calendar year, joining Swiatek, Steffi Graf, Kim Clijsters, and Victoria Azarenka.
"It means a lot”, Sabalenka said in her post-match press conference. "My goal always been to put my name in history, and I just did it. It just sounds so unreal. I don't know how I was able to achieve that, but I'm super proud right now.”
Over the past month, Sabalenka has left no doubt that she is the best player on the WTA Tour. The 27-year-old won the 23rd and 24th titles of her career, adding her 10th and 11th 1000-level titles while dropping just two sets across the two tournaments.
“Just [a] crazy month. Sunshine Double, I couldn't be more happy and it's been really incredible. Four weeks of tennis and I'm just super proud right now with the achievement. It's huge,” Sabalenka said in an interview with wtatennis.com.
Sabalenka will head into clay-court season holding the No. 1 rank for the 76th consecutive week.
Read also: Mboko and Stakusic withdraw from Billie Jean King Cup; Arseneault added to roster
Sinner Extends Record Streak in Miami Victory
Jannik Sinner also made history on Sunday with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Jiri Lehecka in the Miami Open final. With the win, the world No. 2 became the first man since Roger Federer in 2017 to complete the Sunshine Double, while becoming the first to complete the feat without dropping a set across the two events.
Sinner has now won 34 consecutive sets at Masters 1000 events, dating back to the Paris Masters last year, extending the record he set against Corentin Moutet in the third round last week.
“It means a lot to me. [Winning] the Sunshine Double for the first time, it’s incredible,” Sinner said on court after the win. “It’s something I never would’ve thought [to win] because it’s difficult to achieve. We made it somehow, so I’m very happy.”
The Italian became the eighth man to complete the Sunshine Double. Federer (2005, 2006, 2017) and Novak Djokovic (2011, 2014, 2015, 2016) are the only men to have accomplished the feat multiple times in their careers.
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“Coming here, performing in a good way after Indian Wells, means a lot to me. Physically, it’s tough when you come here (from California). You’re a little bit tired, but the motivation is very high,” Sinner said.
Sinner is now just 1,190 points behind rival Carlos Alcaraz in the ATP Live Rankings after winning his seventh-career Masters title. He also closed the gap between himself and the world No. 1 in ‘Big Titles’ (Grand Slams, ATP Finals, ATP 1000), adding another over the weekend and now trails Alcaraz 15-13.
Read also: Dabrowski, Stefani Eliminated in Miami Open Semis
All Winners This Week:
WTA 1000 - Miami
- Women’s Singles: Aryna Sabalenka* (3/24) d. Coco Gauff
- Women’s Doubles: Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend d. Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini
ATP 1000 - Miami
- Men’s Singles: Jannik Sinner* (2/26) d. Jiri Lehecka
- Men’s Doubles: Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori d. Harri Hellovaara and Henry Patten
* 2026 Titles/Career Titles
Read also: Sinner, Sabalenka add to Trophy Cases in Indian Wells
The WTA's best return to Toronto next summer for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers Aug 1 to 13 at Sobeys Stadium. Get your tickets today!
The ATP's best return to Montreal next summer for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers Aug 1 to 13 at IGA Stadium. Get your tickets today!
Feature Photo : Sarah-Jade Champagne
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