Sinner versus Alcaraz, Wimbledon prepares for a new battle of the leaders
The 2025 Wimbledon final will mark the 13th duel between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz on the ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Wimbledon, 2025
For the first time since 2008 and a double confrontation between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the men’s final of Roland-Garros and Wimbledon will have the same line-up.
World No 1 Jannik Sinner against number two Carlos Alcaraz. Five weeks after their incredible match at the Roland-Garros, the longest final in history on the Parisian clay, the two leading names of world tennis will cross swords again, this time on the London grass.
The British public is hoping to see a battle of the top two at least as intense as at Roland-Garros, and it could well materialise. On paper, Alcaraz has a psychological superiority over his Italian rival. He has won the last five meetings against him and his victory in Paris by recovering from two sets to love and saving three match points has inevitably left its mark on Sinner, even if the latter dismissed this hypothesis in a press conference.
“I think if I had all that in mind, I probably wouldn’t be in a position to play another final, I guess (smiles). I’m very happy to share the court with Carlos once again,” said Sinner.
“It will be difficult, I know that. But I can’t wait. I always try to put myself in those kinds of situations that I really like. Sundays in every tournament are very special.”
I don’t think I have a mental advantage on Sunday because of this match
Alcaraz also believes that the Italian has already moved on and that he will have no advantage on Sunday just because of what happened at Roland Garros. The Spaniard expects another very difficult match against the world No 1, who had already beaten him at Wimbledon in 2022, albeit in a different era.
“Jannik has this ability, as a great champion, to learn from everything — from his losses, from the games he plays. He is improving after every game, every day. I’m sure he’ll learn a lot from the Roland-Garros final, and he’ll be better. He will be better physically, better mentally. He will be ready to give 100% on Sunday. I don’t think I have a mental advantage on Sunday because of that game.”
The stakes of this match will be huge, on each side of the net. Two-time defending champion Alcaraz could become the fifth player in history to win Wimbledon three times in a row, something only Björn Borg, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have managed before him in the Open era. Better still, in the event of a hat-trick in London, he would achieve the feat of back-to-back Roland-Garros and Wimbledon crowns in consecutive season, something not achieved since Björn Borg in 1979.
“He’s the favourite,” said Sinner, who has qualified for the Wimbledon final for the first time in his career. “He’s won here twice in a row. He is still in the final. It’s very difficult to beat him on grass, but I like these kinds of challenges. I like to go head-on and try to see what I can do, how far I can go.”
Alcaraz praises Sinner’s level on grass
True to form, Alcaraz had praise for his Italian rival before Sunday’s final. The Spaniard was asked to analyse Sinner’s grass-court game, which he considers impressive especially in his movements.
“The level at which Jannik plays is really high, as always. I think he never drops in level during a match. It’s incredible what he can do on a tennis court. I see Jannik playing excellent grass tennis. I’ve often said it: moving on grass is the most difficult thing to master, and also the most important, at least for me. And Jannik’s movements on grass are incredible. He slides as if he were playing on clay, with both legs. It’s just incredible.”
It will be the thirteenth duel between the two men on the ATP Tour, the fifth in a final. If he wins, Alcaraz will win his sixth Grand Slam title, equalling Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker. Sinner is looking for a fourth title. Gentlemen, treat us!
