The 12 men to defend their maiden Grand Slam title: Jannik Sinner emulates Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer

Ewan West
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Jannik Sinner with Grand Slam trophies
(L-R) Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Jannik Sinner defended their maiden major titles.

Jannik Sinner became the 12th man in the Open Era to successfully defend their maiden Grand Slam title with his triumph at the 2025 Australian Open.

The Italian has emulated a host of tennis legends, including Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and John McEnroe.

The feat eluded icons such as Novak Djokovic and Pete Sampras, as well as Sinner’s young rival, Carlos Alcaraz.

Here, we look at all of the male players who have defended their first major singles title since the Open Era started in 1968.

Jan Kodes

Jan Kodes secured the first of his three Grand Slam titles at the 1970 French Open, where he downed Zeljko Franulovic 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 in the final.

The Czech defended his crown at Roland Garros with a 8-6, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 victory over Ilie Nastase in the 1971 championship match.

Bjorn Borg

In his first major final, Bjorn Borg recovered to prevail 2-6, 6-7(4), 6-0, 6-1, 6-1 against Manuel Orantes at the 1974 French Open.

The Swede saw off Guillermo Vilas 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 in the 1975 title match in Paris to claim the second of his 11 career Grand Slam crowns.

John McEnroe

John McEnroe defeated Vitas Gerulaitis 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 in the final of the 1979 US Open to win his maiden Grand Slam title.

The American overcame Borg 7-6(4), 6-1, 6-7(5), 5-7, 6-4 in the 1980 final to defend his title at Flushing Meadows and collect the second of his seven singles majors.

Johan Kriek

In his first major title match, Johan Kriek earned a 6-2, 7-6(1), 6-7(1), 6-4 win over Steve Denton to win the 1981 Australian Open.

The South-African American beat the same opponent in the final at the 1982 edition event to win his second and final major.

Stefan Edberg

Stefan Edberg secured his maiden Grand Slam title at the 1985 Australian Open, where he defeated Mats Wilander 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in the final.

At the next edition of the Melbourne major, the Swede battled past Pat Cash 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3 to win the second of his six major singles crowns.

Boris Becker

Boris Becker’s stunning 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 6-4 triumph against Kevin Curren in the 1985 Wimbledon championship match saw him lift his first major trophy.

The German downed Ivan Lendl 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 in the 1986 final at the All England Club to win the second of his six career Grand Slam titles.

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Jim Courier

In the 1991 French Open final, Jim Courier prevailed 3-6, 6-4, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 against Andre Agassi in his first Grand Slam final.

The American scored a dominant 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 win over Petr Korda in the 1992 Roland Garros title match to defend his crown and win the third of his four majors.

Sergi Bruguera

At the 1993 French Open, Sergi Bruguera won his maiden major as he denied Courier a third successive triumph with 6-4, 2-6, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory over the American in the title match.

The Spaniard saw off Alberto Berastegui 6-3, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 in Paris in the 1994 final to claim his second and last Grand Slam crown.

Pat Rafter

Pat Rafter overcame Greg Rusedski 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 in the championship match at the 1997 US Open for his maiden Grand Slam victory.

The Australian earned a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 win against Mark Philippoussis in the 1998 Flushing Meadows final to defend his title and win his second and final major.

Roger Federer

Roger Federer won the first of his 20 Grand Slam titles at the 2003 Wimbledon Championships, where he beat Philippoussis 7-6(5), 6-2, 7-6(3) in the final.

The Swiss defended his crown at the London major with a 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-4 win over Andy Roddick in the title match.

Rafael Nadal

In the final at the 2005 edition of Roland Garros, Rafael Nadal defeated Mariano Puerta 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-1, 7-5 to win his first-ever major.

A year later, the Spaniard triumphed 1-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6(4) against Federer in the 2006 Roland Garros championship match to win the second of his 22 Grand Slams.

Jannik Sinner

Sinner fought back to prevail 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 against Daniil Medvedev in his maiden Grand Slam final at the 2024 Australian Open.

The Italian downed Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3 to defend his title and collect his third major at the 2025 edition of the Melbourne tournament.

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