History for Sesko as Slovenia celebrates first Grand Slam boys' champ

At 4.24pm on Sunday, and sealed with a thunderbolt serve, Ziga Sesko sealed silverware at the Australian Open Junior Championships, becoming the first Slovenian boy to win a Junior Grand Slam singles title. 

Recovering from a set down to beat Keaton Hance of the United States 4-6 6-3 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena, Sesko and indeed his opponent displayed some high quality tennis.

It was one of those occasions when neither player deserved to lose and Hance should feel proud of his efforts which took him close to a maiden Junior Grand Slam title. 

Hance was quick out of the blocks, the first set deservedly wrapped up in 38 minutes before Sesko slowly but surely asserted himself, taking what was a deceptively tight second set 6-3.

Sesko conceded that Hance is an "amazing player" who forced him to rethink his match strategy after the first set.

“He prepared well for the match, he knew what he needed to do and what tactics to use,” said Sesko.

“Then I changed my tactics as well. I was trying to step more forward, transition to the net a lot. I was getting the points on that so I just stuck to that game-plan and believed I could do it.”

“I would say it was the most special match, for sure. To play on such a big court under the closed roof, the audience gets even louder. I think the crowd was really enjoying the match, and I was enjoying it also. They brought a lot of energy to the match.”

On the final day of a tournament that saw 44 degree heat in week one, the Melbourne weather turned and the final was played with the roof closed.

It made for an engaging atmosphere with a steady flow of fans entering Rod Laver Arena perhaps seeking entertainment.

The duo themselves had met just once before –  in 2022 and on clay – with Sesko prevailing but the memory counted for nothing.

The more Sesko ventured to the net today the more the match turned, his volleys dispatched to the corners with precision and speed.

It was as much a men’s match as it was a junior encounter, at times heavy hitting from the baseline with both players sending down near 200 kmph serves.

Neither player had won a Junior Grand Slam title previously, but Sesko is already used to the big occasion having made a successful Davis Cup debut for Slovenia against Uruguay last year.

Shortly after the press conference, he was heading straight to the airport to join his Davis Cup team for this week’s tie against Turkiye.

Sesko had contested just two Junior Grand Slams before this Australian Open, reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon last year and falling in the first round at the US Open.

He has been courteous and thoughtful all week. Post-match he thanked everyone who helped him during his pre-season at the Rafa Nadal Academy and also the ITF-operated Grand Slam Development Programme Touring Team.

Sesko is the first member of the ITF-operated Grand Slam Player Development Programme Touirng Team to win a Junior Grand Slam singles title since Ricardas Berankis in 2007. 

“I was with them last year in December (Merida and Florida),” he said. “The coaches (Roberta Burzagli and Will Hann) really give you different opinions than your own coaches and you can improve fast.”

His mum and brother were also thanked publicly for their support this month.

“It’s been the best week of my life so far,” Sesko said. “Thank you Melbourne, until next time."

A full list of results from the 2026 Australian Open Junior Championships is available here.