TURIN, Italy: Top-ranked Jannik Sinner added another big title to his tremendous year, beating US Open runner-up Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday for the ATP Finals trophy before his home fans — and before a final verdict is reached in his doping case.
Sinner won his first two Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open and US Open in 2024 and had already clinched the year-end No. 1 ranking.
“It’s the first title in Italy and it means so much to me,” said Sinner, who also won the Next Gen ATP Finals — an event for the top under-20 players — in Milan in 2019. “It’s something very, very, very special.”
Sinner, however, has off-court issues after he tested positive in two separate drug tests in March. A decision to clear him of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency in September. A final ruling is expected from the Court of Arbitration for Sport early next year.
Sinner’s explanation was that the banned performance-enhancer entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist, who had used a spray containing the steroid to treat his own cut finger.
Sinner maintained his recent mastery over Fritz, having also beaten the American in the US Open final in September and in the group stage this week at the elite event for the year’s top eight players.
By sweeping all five of his matches en route to the trophy, Sinner earned $4.8 million — the largest winner’s prize on the men’s tour.
Sinner became the first Italian to win the finals and he went one step further than last year, when he lost the championship match to Novak Djokovic, who withdrew this time. And he did so without dropping a set – which was last accomplished by Ivan Lendl in 1986.
“I just tried to understand whatever works best for each opponent,” Sinner said. “It was a very high-level tournament from my side. At times, I couldn’t play better.”
The crowd inside Inalpi Arena included multiple clusters of fans wearing orange — a tribute to Sinner’s red- and orange-colored hair, and how he once ate carrots during a match. There were orange carrot costumes, orange wigs, orange hats, jackets and plenty of other orange items, too.
Some fans even had carrots in their mouths.
The crowd broke into its customary chant of “Ole, Ole, Ole; Sin-ner, Sin-ner” when Sinner produced a drop-shot winner to break for a 4-3 lead in the first set.
Sinner faced a break point while serving for the first set but saved it with a big serve out wide that Fritz couldn’t return. Then he served an ace — his 10th of the set — to close it out.
Another break by Sinner early in the second and the match was virtually over.
Sinner extended his winning streak to 11 matches. He’s won 26 of his last 27 matches and ends the ATP season with eight titles and an overall record of 70-6.
Fritz was attempting to become the event’s first American champion since Pete Sampras beat Andre Agassi in the title match 25 years ago.
Still, Fritz will rise to a career-high No. 4 in the rankings on Monday after beating No. 2 Alexander Zverev in a third-set tiebreaker in the semifinals on Saturday. That will make him the highest-ranked American man since Andy Roddick was No. 4 in August 2007.
It’s the latest in a series of achievements for Fritz, whose run in New York made him the first American man to reach a Grand Slam singles final since Roddick lost to Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2009.
At the start of the week, Fritz told The Associated Press that his “career has always been a very steady progression and just improving a little bit each year.”
Both Sinner and Fritz will conclude their seasons representing defending champion Italy and the United States, respectively, in the Davis Cup finals, which start Tuesday in Malaga, Spain.
The German duo of Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz beat Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6) to win the doubles title.
Sinner beats Fritz to win ATP Finals and add another big title with his doping case still pending
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Sinner beats Fritz to win ATP Finals and add another big title with his doping case still pending

- Sinner won his first two Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open and US Open in 2024 and had already clinched the year-end No. 1 ranking
Zamzam Al-Hammadi: UAE teen fighter making history in the cage and beyond

- Martial artist prepares for professional debut in PFL MENA as she inspires a new generation of Arab female athletes
Riyadh: At just 17, Zamzam Al-Hammadi is rapidly emerging as one of the Middle East’s most promising athletes and a trailblazer for women in combat sports.
The Emirati martial artist recently took center stage at the Fortune Most Powerful Women International Summit in Riyadh, where she joined an elite panel of regional sports pioneers to discuss the evolving role of women in athletics.
The summit, hosted at the St. Regis Riyadh, was aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and brought together more than 125 influential women from across sectors.
Al-Hammadi spoke during the “Playing to Win: Women, Sports, and Breaking Barriers” panel alongside motorsport driver Mashael Al-Obaidan, boxing advocate Rasha Alkhamis, and Aalia Al-Rasheed, head of the women’s football department at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.
A decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts competitor, Al-Hammadi has already clinched global youth titles under the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation and JJIF World Youth Championships. Now, she is poised to make history as the first female fighter from the UAE to sign a professional MMA contract with the Professional Fighters League.
“Joining the PFL is a dream come true,” Al-Hammadi said. “Being a part of the PFL MENA roster means that I’ll be competing on a bigger platform, and more eyes will be on me. That reach opens the door for global sponsorships, endorsements and partnerships, and that’s going to be a massive deal for me and my family.”
Her rise reflects a broader momentum in women’s sports across the region. With an unbeaten amateur record and a growing following, Al-Hammadi is set to debut in the second season of PFL MENA, a league that has already reshaped the regional MMA landscape.
Being the first female fighter from the UAE to become a professional in MMA comes with a responsibility, Al-Hammadi said. “I want to be one of the best to ever step foot inside the PFL SmartCage. I want to become a champion, and I want to be able to inspire young athletes, young girls like myself, to follow their dreams and work toward achieving their goals, especially in an industry where there aren’t a lot of female fighters that come from the Middle East.”
Al-Hammadi’s passion for martial arts runs deep. She comes from a family of fighters, with her sister Ghala also training in combat sports and her mother, Nada Al-Nuaymi, a seasoned judo and jiu-jitsu practitioner. This generational dedication emphasizes her position as both a pioneer and a role model.
Speaking at the summit, Al-Hammadi highlighted the rapid growth of MMA, particularly for women. She said that the sport has never let them down. “Now, if we watch, all around the world, the fans are cheering for the females more than the males, so this is something good,” she said.
She also praised SURJ Sports Investment, whose partnership with the PFL has been central to the success of the league’s expansion into the Middle East.
“For me, SURJ Sports Investment is really helping the PFL to organize, especially now that we have four events in the Middle East,” Al-Hammadi said. “When it comes to martial arts, most people are thinking outside of the Middle East, but now after seeing and discovering the talent that we have here in the Middle East, and also in Africa, for me it’s just awesome.”
As she prepares for her professional debut in the PFL SmartCage, Al-Hammadi remains focused on both performance and purpose. Her goal: Not only to win titles but to pave the way for a new generation of female fighters in the Arab world.
“More than just making history,” she said, “I want to make an impact.”
Wild Padel shines light on sporting community in Qatif

- Established in 2023, the club went on to win the inaugural edition of the Barn’s Saudi Padel League for men a year later
RIYADH: Wild Padel, a family-owned club in Qatif, is doing more than just riding the wave of a fast-growing sport but rather redefining the essence of community in it.
Established in 2023, Wild Padel is led by the Al-Bayat family members of Ahmed Muneer, Hassan Ali, Abdullah Jamal, and Abdullah Muneer.
Ali told Arab News that although Wild Padel is not the first padel club in Qatif, it has quickly distinguished itself through its high-quality facilities, engaging community events, and strong commitment to promoting padel in the region.
“Despite not being the pioneer, it has become one of the most recognized and active clubs in the area,” he said. “Much of this success is thanks to the dedicated Wild Padel team and the supportive Wild Padel family who continue to train and play at the club.”
In December 2024, Wild Padel won the inaugural edition of the Barn’s Saudi Padel League for men against the highly competitive and respected team Padel X.
“While the challenge was intense, the strength, unity, and determination of our players brought home the title,” Ali said.
A sign of the community and camaraderie established at the club is the list of colorful nicknames that the members have developed.
The victorious team featured Captain Hassan Al-Abdullah, Abdullah “Mystro” Al-Faraj, Abdulaziz “The Engineer” Al-Abdullah, Abdullah “GOAT” Al-Abdullah, Qassim “The Golden Boy” Al-Obaidan, Ali “MVP” Dawani, Jose “Fighter” Arcos, Ali “The Talented” Hassan, Kumail “Leader” Al-Abbas, and Ali “Team Spirit” Al-Nasir.
Ali highlighted that the idea to set up Wild Padel was inspired by the rapid growth of the sport and its strong potential for future expansion in the Kingdom.
“The club was established to align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by promoting active lifestyles, supporting community engagement, and building a strong base of local talent. One of Wild Padel’s key goals is to develop skilled players through its academy, ultimately contributing to the Kingdom’s sporting success on both national and international levels,” he said.
Ali notes that with a growing number of passionate players and rising young talents, the Kingdom is well-positioned to become a regional and global hub for padel in the coming years.
“Padel has a promising future in the Kingdom, driven by strong support from the Ministry of Sports under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal. The efforts of the Saudi Padel Committee, led by Mugren Al-Mugren, alongside contributions from both governmental and private clubs, are accelerating the sport’s development.”
Pakistan drop stars Shaheen, Azam and Rizwan for Bangladesh T20s

- Batsmen Azam and Rizwan were omitted for the second consecutive T20 series after being criticized for slow scoring
- Salman Ali Agha will captain Pakistan as they look to next year’s Twenty20 World Cup hosted by India and Sri Lanka
KARACHI: Pakistan dropped stars Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan on Wednesday as they named a new-look squad for three home Twenty20 internationals against Bangladesh.
Former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson will take charge for the first time after being appointed last week, replacing Aaqib Javed.
Salman Ali Agha will captain Pakistan as they look toward next year’s Twenty20 World Cup, to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Fast bowler Shaheen had played in Pakistan’s last T20 series in New Zealand in March, but batsmen Azam and Rizwan were omitted for the second consecutive T20 series after being criticized for slow scoring.
“The squad has been selected based on players’ performances in the ongoing Pakistan Super League, which concludes on May 25,” the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement.
Shaheen has taken 12 wickets for Lahore Qalandars in 10 PSL matches at an economy rate of 8.20.
Opener Sahibzada Farhan earned a recall after topping the PSL batting charts with 394 runs.
Batsmen Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman return after missing the New Zealand tour with injuries.
Fast bowler Hasan Ali is back after being sidelined with multiple injuries since May last year.
The PCB said that the series match schedule, which has been affected by a 10-day delay to the PSL caused by the deadly India-Pakistan conflict, will be announced soon with all three matches to be held in Lahore.
Pakistan squad: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub.
Brad Pitt’s ‘F1 The Movie’ to premiere in Abu Dhabi this June

ABU DHABI: Brad Pitt’s Formula 1 film will return to Abu Dhabi for its regional premiere on June 25, ahead of its official Middle East release on June 26.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, “F1 The Movie” was partly shot at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last year.
The Apple Original Films production follows fictional former driver Sonny Hayes (Pitt) as he returns to Formula 1 decades after a career-ending crash, teaming up with a struggling race team and a hotshot rookie played by Damson Idris.
The cast and crew will return to Abu Dhabi for the red-carpet premiere after filming 29 days across the emirate, including at Yas Marina Circuit and Zayed International Airport. The production involved 284 local crew members and 15 interns, supported by local partner Epic Films and the Abu Dhabi Film Commission’s rebate scheme.
Mohamed Dobay, of the Creative Media Authority, called the return “a fitting closing moment” to a project that has made a significant impact on Abu Dhabi’s creative economy. The film is one of 180 major productions supported by the Abu Dhabi Film Commission since 2013.
Coach Edwards set to introduce minimum fitness standard for England players

- Former batter Edwards, who captained England in more than 200 matches, replaced coach Jon Lewis last month amid England’s efforts to revive their form ahead of this year’s 50-over World Cup in India
England coach Charlotte Edwards is rolling out a “minimum fitness standard” and calling for more accountability in the area from players after a 16-0 whitewash in the multi-format Women’s Ashes earlier this year.
Former batter Edwards, who captained England in more than 200 matches, replaced coach Jon Lewis last month amid England’s efforts to revive their form ahead of this year’s 50-over World Cup in India.
“The players are very aware there will be minimum fitness standards come this time next year... there has to be more accountability in the area,” Edwards said on Tuesday, a day before her first match as England coach.
“Before the World Cup it is about individuals improving as much as they can in that time... I am not going to set fitness standards (now) because there haven’t been any standards in place.”
Edwards said the players had spent the last few weeks working hard to improve their fielding, an aspect of the game that came under heavy criticism during their dismal Ashes campaign.
“Physically they are in a really good place as well and we have some great fielders within our T20 squad. It’s a big part of the game and we know that,” Edwards added.
England host West Indies in three T20 matches and three One-Day Internationals between May 21-June 7, with India visiting for a limited-overs tour later next month.