It was not any other regular match but a battle that pushed the ATP stars to their limits. However, only one could bask in the glory while the other was heartbroken. Under Melbourne’s bright lights, a young champion celebrated his feat. However, his first instinct wasn’t to enjoy the win but to lend a supporting hand to his sad opponent. This pure moment caught legendary Boris Becker off-guard, leaving him stunned. So, what did he say?

Sinner successfully defended his title at the 2025 Melbourne Slam with an impressive win over Alexander Zverev by 6-3, 7(7)- 6(4), and 6-3 at Rod Laver Arena. Although runner-up, Zverev gave his best shot against the Italian player but failed ultimately. After losing the first set, he made a strong return, leading it to an anxious tiebreaker. However, the ATP number one proved too strong for him, leading to a defeat in three straight sets. Following this loss, Zverev, and Sinner’s head-to-head statistics became 4-3 (with Sinner matching Zverev’s Grand Slam encounter statistics by 2-2). This is the third time the German was defeated by the Italian ATP star after the 2020 US Open and the 2024 Roland Garros. Post-match, Zverev looked depressed and broke into tears during the trophy ceremony. However, his opponent got his back and embraced him with consolation.

Sinner hugged Zverev and tried talking to him about the situation. The heartwarming scene was captured on camera and delighted the fraternity’s hearts. Among them, renowned coach and former player Boris Becker expressed his feelings about the moment. Taking it to his official X platform, Becker wrote, “Most emotional scene of the match.” Becker’s statement highlighted how true sportsmanship transforms competitors into empathizers.

The ATP number one not only consoled his German opponent but also spoke highly of his skill. Reflecting on their match, he expressed a deep sadness for Zverev and said, “It’s a tough day for Sascha. He had already some tough Grand Slam finals. I got lucky in the tie-break. I can feel him. He was a bit down. It’s very difficult.” He also paid a great tribute to his rival during the trophy ceremony. Calling the ATP number two “an amazing player, “ Sinner wanted Sascha to “keep believing” in himself and be confident about his strength. He also wished him “all the best,” showing his humility and politeness.

On the flip side, Zverev was a bit sad about losing the trophy to his old rival. However, he also acknowledged Sinner’s potential and left him a healthy warning. Zverev’s statement was a restatement of his resilience and fighting spirit. So, what did he say?

Alexander Zverev called Jannik Sinner “the best player in the world by far”

The ATP number two put his heart and soul into winning the Melbourne Slam but ultimately lost this trophy to Jannik Sinner. Post-match, he looked depressed and felt he wasn’t “good enough” to beat his opponent. Despite his sadness, Zverev dropped a respectful statement for Sinner, highlighting that he shared the humility of his rival. “Congrats to Jannik. You’re the best player in the world by far. I was hoping that I could be more of a competitor today, but you’re too good,” said Zverev in the post-match presentation. He then left a message for his supporters. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to lift the trophy, but I’ll keep coming back, I’ll keep trying,” said Zverev.

This German player also compared Sinner with Novak Djokovic. He explained how Sinner hardly missed a shot like the Serb. “They make you think like you have to overhit all the time to have a chance in a rally against them. It’s very, very difficult to win a point from the back of the court against them, against Novak and him,” Zverev concluded. His statement highlighted how highly he spoke of his opponent explaining the strengths of Sinner. Rather than choosing to cry over his loss, Zverev tried to reason the facts and accept the truth.

While winning and losing are part of games, Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev’s heartwarming moment delighted everyone, showing that true athletes never focus on the prize, they focus on their performance, journey, and the relationship they build. So, what is your take on the adorable Sinner-Zverev scene in Melbourne?