World No. 1 Jannik Sinner’s heartwarming act after Australian Open win

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner’s heartwarming act after winning his second Australian Open title is spreading across cyberspace.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner showed a heartwarming act of good sportsmanship after winning his second Australian Open title on Sunday night.

The 23-year-old Italian defeated German Alexander Zverev 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-3.

Zverev, who is world No. 2 and was striving for his first Grand Slam win, was visibly gutted at the result.

Noticing the emotions his opponent was dealing with, Sinner took some time away from his celebrations to embrace Zverev and give him a pep talk, before the pair would have to take to the stage for the trophy ceremony.

Posts of the moment have garnered tens of thousands of likes on social media.

The two tennis stars later explained what was said during the sweet moment.

Zverev explained that Sinner had seen he was “quite down” and “emotional” before providing some words of encouragement.

“He said that I will definitely lift one of those trophies in my career. I’m too good not to. That’s his words,” Zverev recalled of their conversation in a post-match press conference.

Alexander Zverev clearly appreciated the gesture. Photo: STAN Sport.

Jannik Sinner was all class. Photo: STAN Sport.

Sinner said he felt he needed to raise Zverev’s spirits because he was talking in “a negative way”.

“I really thought I had a very good chance … It was just a difficult moment for me.

“I mean, now for the third time, seeing somebody lift the trophy, me standing next to that is difficult because there’s nothing more I want than to be able to hold one of those trophies in my hands.”

Zverev was overcome by emotions after the loss but was required to stick around for the trophy presentation. Picture: Yuichi Yamazaki / AFP

“I think we all know the story and history of Sascha in grand slams. He had already tough, tough moments,” Sinner said, speaking on Stan Sport following his straight sets win.

“He was emotional and talked in a negative way and I tried to pick him up. At the end of the day we are colleagues.

“For me it always feels like going to school and instead of taking lessons, we’re just playing tennis. I just want the best for every player.

Jannik Sinner consols Alexander Zverev after the final at Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Chantelle Francis

“I think there’s no other player who deserves a grand slam more.”

The interaction come just moments before a heckler in the crowd brought the trophy presentation to a standstill.

A woman yelled out “Australia believes Olga and Brenda” repeatedly before she was escorted out of Rod Laver Arena.

Zverev’s former partners Olga Sharypova and Brenda Patea, the mother of his child, have previously accused the German tennis star of domestic abuse. He has denied the allegations.

A case involving Zverev and Patea settled out of court in June last year with no admission of guilt.

The 27-year-old stood in silence and made no mention of the interruption when he took the microphone, but he was forced to react to the moment when the protest was brought up during his post-match press conference.

Originally published as World No. 1 Jannik Sinner’s heartwarming act after Australian Open win