Zverev and Sinner to Clash in Australian Open Men's Singles Final Amid Controversies
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Alexander Zverev and defending champion Jannik Sinner are set to meet in the Australian Open men's singles final, as both face controversies from doping and assault allegations.
The 2025 Australian Open is heading towards its conclusion with the men's singles final set to take place between defending champion Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev at the Rod Laver Arena on Sunday, 26 January.
Following a thrilling women's singles final on Saturday where 14th-ranked Madison Keys shocked top-ranked Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka to claim her first Grand Slam title, the men's final pits the ATP No 1 and No 2 against each other.
Sinner made it to the final after defeating USA's Ben Shelton with a score of 7-6 (7-2), 6-2, 6-2 in the semi-finals, showcasing a dominant performance in the last two sets. Meanwhile, Zverev's semi-final clash against Novak Djokovic ended abruptly as Djokovic succumbed to a left leg injury after Zverev won the first set 7-6 (7-5).
With Djokovic out of the race for his record-extending 11th Australian Open title and 25th Grand Slam, both finalists have contrasting motivations. Sinner aims to successfully defend his title and claim his third Grand Slam, having also won the US Open last year, while Zverev is eager for his first major triumph after finishing as runner-up in the 2020 US Open and last year's French Open.
However, the final has also attracted negative attention. The tennis community has raised concerns that neither player should be competing due to serious controversies surrounding both.
Sinner's title defence has been clouded by a doping scandal where he failed two drug tests in March last year after a banned steroid, clostebol, was found in his system. Although Sinner claims innocence, stating that the drug entered his system through a spray for a cut, his case is currently being appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, with a hearing set for 16 and 17 April.
On the other hand, Zverev faces accusations of assault from former partners Olga Sharypova and Brenda Patea, the latter being the mother of his young child. Sharypova first made the allegations public in 2020, claiming she faced assault by Zverev before the US Open. Patea has also alleged physical violence during a dispute in May 2020. Zverev, however, has denied these accusations and has reached settlements without admitting guilt.
As the final awaits, it remains uncertain how the crowd will react to the match, especially when compared to the cheers typically afforded to legends like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
