Jannik Sinner topples Alcaraz to avenge Parisian heartbreak and claim his maiden Wimbledon crown
The world No 1 ousted the two-time defending champion 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to clinch a first Wimbledon title
Jannik Sinner wins the 2025 Wimbledon title © Kin Cheung/AP/SIPA
Another remarkable chapter in the rapidly burgeoning rivalry between two generational talents has been etched into the history books at SW19.
Jannik Sinner has dethroned two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, ousting the Spaniard 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to clinch his maiden Wimbledon title and his fourth Grand Slam crown.
In doing so, Sinner has spectacularly avenged the most devastating defeat of his career, when losing the Roland-Garros final to the world No 2 after having held three consecutive championship points – exactly five weeks ago.
The Italian also snaps a five-match losing streak against Alcaraz, while the Spaniard’s wonderful 24-match winning run – dating back to the final of Barcelona in mid-April – also comes to an end.
Today’s encounter never quite ignited in the same fashion as that astonishing meeting in Paris, but it was nonetheless a captivating, drawn-out affair of sky-high quality, with the result remaining balanced on a tightrope until the latest stages.
This was a massively anticipated final between two players who have picked up the torch from the era of the ‘Big Three’ and absolutely run with it, elevating this sport to yet loftier heights in their jaw-dropping recent meetings.
The mere prospect of this spectacle ensured that every possible viewing platform in Aorangi Park was occupied, both inside and outside of tennis’ cathedral court, as the world’s two leading players met in the Wimbledon final for the 17th time in the Open Era.
This was the 13th meeting in a head-to-head that looks set to take its place within the pantheon of tennis’ most defining rivalries.
Alcaraz had led both the pair’s overall head-to-head record and their Grand Slam meetings 8-4 and 3-1 respectively prior to today’s final. He still leads in both those metrics, but the distance between the two has been chipped away by Sinner in a statement victory that once again realigns the dynamic of this enthralling, evolving rivalry.
sinner’s serving superiority edges intense encounter
The intensity was immense from the start.
A pair of holds apiece preceded an opening break for Sinner in the fifth game, the Italian’s hyper-aggressive return pressure splintering the first cracks in his opponent’s service game. From 4-2 up, however, Sinner’s first serve wavered. And Alcaraz took advantage emphatically.
The Spaniard broke back in a relatively loose eighth game to move the set back on serve, before striking again in the tenth, sealing a one-set lead on his second set point following a full-throttle rally of breathtaking quality.
An immediate break for Sinner at the arrival of the second set halted Alcaraz’s momentum. This time, there was no dip in the first-serve percentage from the world No 1. The remainder of the set went on serve, with Sinner elevating his level superbly to close it out in the tenth game.
The Italian’s ascendency at the end of the second set brought him two break points at the start of the third. Alcaraz erased the opportunities to hold, but Sinner then converted a third at the opposite end of the set by breaking the Spaniard to move 5-4 up and earn the chance to serve for a two-set lead.
The world No 1 duly obliged with a clinical service game to close the net on his opponent.
In that third set, Alcaraz’s first-serve percentage had dropped alarmingly to 43% in a lacklustre, distracted performance – relative to his usual resplendent standards.
But Sinner’s sharp steeliness was now the defining characteristic of this final as the Italian delivered another blow early in the fourth stanza, breaking in the third game to put an authoritative stamp on the contest.
Receiving at 4-3 down, Alcaraz could not convert either of two break points from 15-40 as the Italian nudged another step towards the finish line.
Just as he did in Paris five weeks ago, Sinner found himself 2-1 up and serving for the Championship. This time around, though, there were no late wobbles.
After one championship point went begging, the Italian converted the second before lifting his arms into the air in celebration of his maiden Wimbledon title.
mutual respect the defining hallmark of the sinner/alcaraz rivalry
Despite Alcaraz’s obvious disappointment, it is testament to both these young players’ characters that the aftermath of such a seismic match was lived out in such a joyous manner.
The Spaniard clapped respectively while his opponent performed the ritual of greeting his box, before gracious speeches between the two laid bare the respect they evidently share for one another.
“I have to congratulate Jannik once again,” were Alcaraz’s opening words to the Centre Court crowd in his runner-up speech.
“It is really well deserved and an unbelievable two weeks for you here in London. For your team as well, I know there are a lot of family and friends that flew out for you. I am really happy for you. Keep it going. It is great to build a great rivalry and you made me improve every day. Congratulations.”
When asked if he would be back again to fight to reclaim his title next year, the Spaniard’s response was unequivocal.
“Absolutely,” he said while laughing.
” For sure I am going to be back. Wimbledon is one of the most beautiful tournaments that we have on tour. I feel at home every time that I come here.
“It is such a beautiful court and I love playing in front of you all. The atmosphere is insane. I have to say thank you and I will be back for sure.”
sinner wins this one, as a rivalry for the ages begins to hit its stride
Sinner becomes the first Italian to win a singles title on the hallowed turf of SW19. Remarkably, it comes just 35 days after one of the most dramatic and crushing losses imaginable when he saw that Roland-Garros final wrenched away from him.
“I would say mostly emotionally because I had a very tough loss in Paris,” he said in his winner’s speech.
“We were talking before the match that we would never thought we would be in this position when I was young. This was only a dream, the dream of the dream because it was so far away from where I’m from.
“I’m just living my dream.”
With that dream realised, another Wimbledon fortnight comes to an end. But the rivalry between these two young men is clearly only just starting to heat up.
Chapter 13 goes to Jannik Sinner. And with it, his own slice of sporting immortality.
