Jannik Sinner became the first man since Guillermo Vilas in 1977 to win both hard court Grand Slam titles in the same year – and warned he is only going to get better.

Jannik Sinner is the new U.S. Open champion (Image: (Image: GETTY))

Jannik Sinner hailed the ascent of tennis’ “new generation” as he celebrated a landmark year, with both world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and himself claiming all Grand Slam titles this season – a feat not seen since 1993 for players aged 23 or under.

Sinner, just 23, clinched the hardcourt double with a victory over Taylor Fritz to take home the U.S. Open trophy, adding to his Australian Open triumph.

For the first time in nearly two decades, the Big Three – Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer – went without a major title in what has proved a seismic shift in the world of men’s tennis. “It is a bit different, for sure,” Sinner acknowledged.

“It’s something new. It’s nice for the sport to see some new champions. Nice to see new rivalries. I feel like the new generation we push each other, trying to improve.”

Having conquered every final he strode into this year, Sinner exuded confidence and an eagerness to evolve further under pressure. “I always have players and I will always have players who are going to make me a better player, because there are going to be times where they beat me.”

Sinner defeated Taylor Fritz in the final at Flushing Meadows (Image: (Image: GETTY))

“Then you have to try to find a way how to win against certain players. I feel it’s good for the sport to have some new champions.”

Sinner’s victory parade commenced in Melbourne and didn’t miss a beat through the season, seeing him crowned the youngest man to snag both hard court major titles within a single season. Even more impressive, he joins an exclusive club alongside Jimmy Connors (1974) and Guillermo Vilas (1977), becoming only the third man in the Open Era to clutch his initial duo of Grand Slam crowns in one calendar swoop.

The Italian tennis star is gearing up for more improvement, noting that despite his recent performance, not everything was at its best. “Today we saw that not everything was perfect,” he remarked, adding that he aims to keep evolving his game.

“I could have served slightly better, but this makes me realise that the work never stops.”

He discussed the constant grind and the importance of maintaining daily routines, stressing, “It’s always a continuous work which, at the end of the day, if you want to be a better player you always have to work, and you have to have these daily routines, accept difficult times on court.”

“The work never stops. How can you play better against certain opponents? How do you work on such shots?

“I was a lot in the gym, because I knew physically I still had to improve and I still have to improve a lot. This is all part of the sacrifices you make for an eventual future. So we will keep working.

“I know that I’m not perfect and I will never be perfect, but we always try to evolve in my game. Then after my career I can say: ‘Okay, I’ve done everything possible to be at 100 per cent.'”.

After securing a victory against Fritz, he opened up about recent challenges during his courtside interview, stating, “The last month has been very difficult because you all know what I went through.”