Italy’s world number one Jannik Sinner defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday to win the Wimbledon men’s title, avenging his painful loss in last month’s French Open final.
Sinner is the first Italian to win at the All England Club and now has four Grand Slam titles at the age of 23. The tennis world has eagerly followed the emerging rivalry and friendship that has developed following the era of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, known as the “Big Three”.
Sinner and the two-time defending Wimbledon champion Alcaraz have shared the last seven Grand Slam titles between them, with the Italian winning four.
Sinner’s defeat in Paris last month was particularly tough, having led by two sets and then squandered three match points in the final.
Before Sunday’s victory, he had lost five consecutive matches to Alcaraz, including the final of the Italian Open, which was his first tournament after returning from a doping ban.
However, this time he turned the tables impressively. Both players served strongly until the fifth game, when Alcaraz hit a forehand long, giving Sinner his first break.
The Spaniard levelled the score at 4-4, prompting cheers from the Centre Court crowd, which included Prince William and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Sinner then double-faulted, handing Alcaraz a second set point.
Sinner struck a powerful forehand down the line, but Alcaraz responded with a magical backhand winner, raising a finger to his ear and encouraging the crowd’s applause.
