Jannik Sinner is fighting for his second consecutive US Open crown against Carlos Alcaraz. World no. 1 seeks his fourth straight hard-court Major title against his greatest rival in another tennis classic.
Sinner trained at Arthur Ashe Stadium ahead of the title clash and met two legends who have left a significant mark at the last Major of the season. Once fearsome rivals, John and Jimmy enjoyed a heartful moments at the home Major event with the world's best player.
Jannik exchanged nice words with the two legends while preparing for one of the most challenging matches of the season.
Connors and McEnroe were fearsome rivals in New York, conquering nine of 11 titles between 1974 and 1984. They never fought in the title clash in front of the home fans, but we remember a couple of memorable semi-final duels.
Decades later, Sinner is chasing history in New York. The Italian has won the previous three hard-court Major titles, hoping to extend his streak and lift the third Major trophy of the season.
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Jannik defeated six rivals en route to the trophy match. He experienced an abdominal setback against Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semi-final, receiving a medical timeout and losing the second set.
However, the defending champion bounced back in sets three and four, moving into his sixth Major final, the fifth in a row. Sinner claimed his 300th ATP victory against Auger-Aliassime and became the third player with 27 straight hard-court Major victories.
Alcaraz will try to end the rival's run and dethrone him from the ATP throne. The two great rivals are battling in their third consecutive Major final, dominating the rest of the field and writing history books.
Whoever wins, the new pages of tennis history will be written, and Jannik will do his best to lift a trophy.
