What a showdown in Turin! Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz lit up the ATP Finals with a nail-biting clash that had fans on the edge of their seats. Expectations were sky-high, and the match didn’t disappoint, delivering thrills worthy of a season finale. But while the court sizzled with action, it was something—or someone—off the court that stirred up the buzz. Enter Ion Tiriac, the Romanian billionaire and tennis mogul, whose presence added an unexpected twist to the evening. As if the match wasn’t intriguing enough, fans couldn’t help but notice Tiriac making waves with a surprising Donald Trump connection, sparking chatter both inside the arena and online.

The Italian tennis dynamo completely baffled his American counterpart yet again in straight sets as he clinched the match and the ATP Finals title in Turin 6-4, 6-4. Depicting remarkable grit, Sinner did not let Fritz gain control over the match thereby mesmerizing his fans and the home crowd alike. But more than his remarkable performance, what caught the attention of the fans was the presence of the former tennis pro and Romanian businessman Tiriac.

The 85-year-old was seen sitting in the stands in formal attire along with tennis veteran Boris Becker as they closely watched the match between Sinner and Fritz. To the surprise of many, Tiriac was wearing an interesting white cap that had a Donald Trump connection to it. The cap had, “Make America Great Again,” written over it in bold great letters, which was the political slogan of Trump’s election campaign.

Remember, the president-elect of US used this slogan, also abbreviated as MAGA during his successful presidential campaigns in 2016 and in 2024. While the reason Tiriac wearing the cap is not known, it can either be his way of congratulating Trump over his recent victory or his support for Fritz in the match. Tiriac, meanwhile, has a very old bond with tennis. 

For the unversed, Tiriac is a former Top 10 player who was active on the tour from 1958 to 1979 and won 34 career singles titles. However, he did not amass much success as an athlete. His highest run in a Grand Slam tournament was at the French Open when he reached the Top 8 in 1968. And despite winning a doubles title in Roland Garros, Tiriac started to amass the colossal wealth he has today only after he bid adieu to the sport. 

Tiriac, who played three Davis Cups and also took on coaching, working with players like Boris Becker and Marat Safin, started his business empire with investments in property and the automobile industry. This quickly garnered him immense fortune giving him the status and wealth he enjoys today. But interestingly, while Tiriac seemed to support America and Fritz in the match, his old friend Becker, who was also with him in the stands has expressed his admiration for Taylor Fritz’s opponent Jannik Sinner on multiple occasions. 

“He’s the man to beat” – When Boris Becker expressed immense admiration for Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner has been on a sensational rise this season. With seven titles under his belt, including two Grand Slams, the Italian dynamo has now also clinched the ATP Finals title. He has garnered immense praise from the tennis community and former pro- Boris Becker is no exception. 

Talking about Sinner’s performance ahead of the ATP Finals, Becker lauded the young player and highlighted his dominance. “The consistency he has [at] only 23 years of age is remarkable,” Becker said. Continuing further, he added that the Italian star is gradually cementing his position as one of the most formidable forces on the courts. “He always has a level, he never goes under that level and again, I’m not surprised. I think he’s going to be around the No. 1 for a long time. Yes, we have Alcaraz and we have many others. But I think he’s the man to beat for a long time,” Becker shared. 

It will be interesting to see if Boris Becker makes any further comments on Jannik Sinner’s latest achievement.