Jannik Sinner lifted the Paris Masters title for the first time in his career – and then apologised to the fans for failing to speak French. The Italian stormed to the title without dropping a set, beating Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4 7-6(4) in Sunday’s final. He will now return to No. 1 in the world, surpassing Carlos Alcaraz.
Auger-Aliassime was on the hunt for his biggest title, but he finished runner-up at a Masters 1000 event for the second time in his career. The Canadian addressed the crowd in French during his runner-up speech, and Sinner was left looking sheepish as he spoke to them in English.
“Hello everyone. Sorry I cannot speak French! Give me some years maybe,” the freshly-crowned champion told the fans inside the La Defense Arena, the new home of the Paris Masters.