Sinner Completes Sunshine Double, Matches Federer Feat No Man Has Touched in 9 Years

Italian wins Miami without dropping a set, extends Masters streak to 34 consecutive sets, and sends warning to Alcaraz

March 29, 2026 | 5 min read

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Jannik Sinner walked off Stadium Court with a trophy in one hand and a piece of history in the other.

The world No. 2 defeated Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-4 in Sunday’s Miami Open final to complete the “Sunshine Double”—back-to-back titles at Indian Wells and Miami. The last man to do it? Roger Federer in 2017.

The last man to do it without dropping a set across both events? No one. Until now.

“It means a lot to me. Winning the Sunshine Double for the first time, it’s incredible,” Sinner said in his on-court interview. “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.”

Sinner’s march through the Sunshine Swing was a statistical masterclass.

The Italian extended his record to 34 consecutive sets won at ATP Masters 1000 level, dating back to the start of last year’s Rolex Paris Masters.

He improved to 19-2 on the season, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.

The Final: Sinner vs. Lehecka

Rain delayed the start by 90 minutes. When play finally began, Sinner went to work.

Lehecka entered the final unbroken in Miami, having saved all nine break points he faced across five matches. That streak ended in Sinner’s first return game.

The Czech built a 0/40 lead in Sinner’s following service game, looking to break back immediately. Sinner responded with five straight first serves. Game over. Momentum never shifted.

Another rain delay interrupted play early in the second set. Lehecka will rue his service game at 4-4, where a routine forehand approach at 30/30 gave Sinner a break opportunity he didn’t waste.

One hour, 33 minutes after the first ball was struck, Sinner was champion.

The Sunshine Double: Exclusive Club

Sinner is the eighth man to complete the double. He’s the first to do it without dropping a set.

The Alcarax: A Rivalry Heating Up

Carlos Alcaraz started 2026 with a 16-match winning streak, titles at the Australian Open and Doha, and a seemingly insurmountable rankings lead.

Then came the Sunshine Swing.

Sinner cut Alcaraz’s lead from 3,150 points to 1,190 points in less than a month.

“I tried to stay solid in very different conditions today, it was very heavy so it’s tough to go through the player,” Sinner said. “I tried to stay solid in important moments and I’m very happy to take this [trophy] home with me.”

What’s Next

Sinner now turns to the European clay-court swing. His record on clay is strong—he reached the French Open semifinals last year, losing to Alcaraz in five sets.

Lehecka, despite the loss, will rise to a career-high No. 14 in Monday’s rankings after his maiden Masters 1000 final appearance.

But Sunday belonged to one man.

“It’s something I never would’ve thought [to win],” Sinner said.

He won’t have to think about it anymore. He’s done it.

Nobody Can Be Called GOAT: Wimbledon Champion’s Fiery Take That Will Have Djokovic Fans Fuming

Pat Cash says comparing eras is impossible as Serbian’s Grand Slam record, No.1 weeks, and Masters titles still not enough to end the debate.

March 28, 2026 | 5 min read

Novak Djokovic has the most Grand Slams. The most weeks at No.1. The most Masters 1000 titles. By every measurable metric, he sits alone at the top of men’s tennis.

But according to 1987 Wimbledon champion Pat Cash, that still doesn’t make him the GOAT.

“I don’t think anybody can be called the GOAT, the greatest of all time. That’s why this is such a great conversation.”

The Australian’s comments, made on the Off Court with Greg Rusedski podcast, are certain to reignite the debate that Djokovic fans thought was settled years ago.

Cash’s argument rests on a simple premise: comparing across eras is impossible.

“You think about Ken Rosewall and like Laver, he was banned for many years,” Cash said, referencing the pre-Open Era when professionals were barred from Grand Slams.

“There’s all sorts of things in the mix.”

If numbers alone decided the debate, Djokovic would have no rival.

Djokovic leads in every cumulative category. He’s beaten his rivals more times than they’ve beaten him. He holds the records that matter.

But Cash is unmoved.

“We forget too soon the greats and then we say somebody’s the greatest of all time. Then they lose a couple of matches and we say, oh now, they’re not the greatest. So we do have short memories.”

The Counterpoint

Former British No.1 Greg Rusedski, who reached the 1997 US Open final, interjected with the counter-argument.

“We do have short memories, but for me, I like to go by numbers. So I would say Novak, in my opinion, is the GOAT just because of what he’s doing, nearly 39 years of age, which is incredible to be able to compete at that level and the drive and the intensity.”

Rusedski’s point is simple: Djokovic is still doing it. At an age when most champions have long retired, he’s competing for Grand Slams and beating the next generation.

“So I consider Novak my goat, but we’re all allowed to have different opinions.”

Cash’s argument—that eras can’t be compared—is objectively true.

Rod Laver won the Calendar Grand Slam twice (1962, 1969). But for five years between, he was banned from the Slams because he turned professional. His prime years were erased from the record books.

Bjorn Borg retired at 26 with 11 Slams. What if he’d played another decade?

John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl—all shaped the sport, none have the numbers Djokovic does.

The question is whether “greatest” means “most accomplished” or something more subjective.

What Djokovic Hasn’t Done

Despite everything, Djokovic has never won a calendar Grand Slam. He’s never won Olympic gold in singles (bronze in 2008). His Grand Slam tally, while leading his rivals, is still one behind Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24.

He’s 38. He hasn’t won a major since the 2024 US Open. His ranking is slipping. The end is approaching.

For Cash, that doesn’t diminish what he’s achieved. It just makes definitive declarations impossible.

Djokovic fans will rage. They’ll point to the numbers, the longevity, the head-to-head records, the weeks at No.1.

Cash isn’t arguing that Djokovic isn’t one of the greatest. He’s arguing that calling anyone the single greatest is a fool’s errand.

“Let’s do another podcast on that and throw out our theories. It’s a great one to do.”

The debate continues. And for Cash, that’s exactly the point.

Denis Shapovalov Blames Roger Federer for His One-Handed Backhand—And Career Disadvantage

Canadian says he chose the “dying art” because he grew up idolizing the 20-time Grand Slam champion

By Simone Brugnoli & Callum Davies
February 13, 2026 | 3 min read

Denis Shapovalov has pointed an unlikely finger at Roger Federer when explaining why his career never quite reached the heights predicted after his breakthrough win over Rafael Nadal in 2017.

The 26-year-old Canadian, once touted as a future world No. 1 and Grand Slam champion, has only flirted with the top 10, peaking at No. 10 and reaching a solitary Wimbledon semifinal in 2021. Now, speaking at the Dallas Open, he’s offered a candid explanation: his one-handed backhand—a shot he adopted because of Federer—has become a liability in the modern game.

“I Blame Roger Federer”

“In a way, the one-handed backhand represents a strength because it allows you to generate more power, find sharper angles, and be more spectacular,” Shapovalov told reporters.

“But in today’s game, it’s very much heading towards the way of having a solid two-handed backhand. The game is so quick today, it helps to have that extra arm.

“That’s why it’s so much more rare to see guys with one-handed backhands. I blame Roger Federer. I grew up watching him and wanted to play like him. That’s definitely a big reason why I have a one-hander.”

The Federer Effect

Federer’s influence on a generation of players is undeniable. Grigor Dimitrov was famously dubbed “Baby Fed.” Stefanos Tsitsipas admitted he chose the one-hander as a six-year-old watching Federer. Dominic Thiem credited Federer as the reason he stuck with the shot.

But what worked for Federer—arguably the most elegant player in history—hasn’t translated for others. The one-handed backhand requires flawless timing and footwork, and against the modern power game of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, it’s increasingly a target.

Shapovalov’s comments come as the one-handed backhand becomes increasingly rare. At the 2026 Australian Open, only a handful of players in the top 50 still used it.

Federer himself acknowledged the shot’s challenges in 2025, admitting he spent years trying to fix its inconsistencies.

Shapovalov reached the Dallas Open quarterfinals this week, keeping hopes alive that he can still fulfill some of that early promise. But his candid assessment raises a question: in the era of Alcaraz and Sinner, is there still room for Federer’s signature shot?

For Shapovalov, the answer may determine the rest of his career.

Rafael Nadal Reveals His “Wife Suffers” Because of His New Obsession

22-time Grand Slam champion admits golf has taken over his retirement—and household

By Shahida Jacobs
February 13, 2026 | 2 min read

Retirement was supposed to mean more time with family. For Rafael Nadal, it means more time on the golf course—and his wife isn’t thrilled about it.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion, who hung up his tennis racket in November 2024, has traded baseline battles for fairway drives. Speaking at a charity tournament in Madrid this week, Nadal made a candid confession:

“I follow golf every week, and my wife suffers because of it.”

Nadal’s passion for golf is no secret. During his tennis career, he frequently played charity events and practice rounds. Since retiring, the obsession has only deepened.

“I watched Jon Rahm play this week in Riyadh. He had a spectacular finish. I generally enjoy following it.”

Nadal revealed he’s received multiple invitations to turn professional in golf but declined—until now, tennis always came first.

“I’ve been offered an invitation several times, but so far the circumstances haven’t been right.”

Would he consider it now?

“You never know. But I would have to feel like I was playing without making a fool of myself, with the hope of at least being able to compete—even if it’s just against myself.”

With Federer already a regular playing partner and Andy Murray also reportedly golf-obsessed, could a Big Four golf showdown be coming?

Nadal teased last year:

“Yes, it could happen. But they have to get training. I have a bit of an advantage. On the tennis court, there wasn’t that much difference between us. In this, I’m much better than them.”