Jannik Sinner is the King of Wimbledon, marking an unprecedented moment in tennis history and demonstrating tactical brilliance to overcome his greatest rival.
For the first time in the history of tennis, the champion of Wimbledon is Italian. We owe this incredible joy to Jannik Sinner, who delivered an intense, emotional match that will be etched in memory for years to come. This victory wasn`t merely about lifting a trophy; in one fell swoop, Jannik avenged the bitter defeat at Roland Garros, dispelled any lingering psychological shadows from that match, and decisively broke the `Spanish curse` represented by Carlos Alcaraz. More importantly, he sent an unequivocal message to the world: the undisputed World No. 1 in tennis is still him.
Sinner reversed a final that began poorly. He appeared constrained in the first set, seemingly more unsettled by potential psychological demons lurking in the air than by his opponent across the net. Yet, those negative thoughts were swiftly banished, dispatched with a relentless barrage of groundstrokes from the back of the court. Forehand or backhand, the distinction became irrelevant as both delivered punishing blows. His serve, too, played a crucial role, particularly during pivotal moments, consistently appearing when he needed it most.
For perhaps the first time in their young yet already storied rivalry, the Italian champion kept his rival under constant pressure, pinning him to the baseline with remarkable consistency. Alcaraz, save for a few fleeting moments, found himself unable to unleash his lethal forehand, his best shot, because Sinner`s tactical scheme functioned almost flawlessly. Aside from that initial set hiccup, Sinner displayed truly exceptional tennis. We witnessed the return of his jump backhand, which is rapidly becoming a signature move, alongside forehands of rare power that sprayed across the court. The sound the ball made coming off his racket was, for lack of a better term, a relentless, hammering tennis “rock” – beautiful to behold, yet simultaneously keeping everyone on edge, game after game.
Jannik`s performance was a crescendo, his gaze growing sharper, almost “fierce,” as the match wore on. That fierce look and raised fist towards his box, where coaches Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill sat alongside his parents Hanspeter and Siglinde, told a story of burgeoning confidence. Yes, we saw a level of competitive fire perhaps never before witnessed from Sinner, a willingness to pump himself up and electrify the crowd, who watched this red-haired young man glide across the grass with such fluidity and exquisite technique. This level of grit is precisely what is needed to conquer challenges of this magnitude, pushing beyond even his famously `icy` demeanor.
Alcaraz was beaten more emphatically than the final score might suggest. The Spaniard attempted to rally the Centre Court crowd in a desperate bid for a comeback, but this time, his gesticulations and repeated `vamos` calls fell on deaf ears. Across the net, the ball kept coming back, faster and more precise. By the end, Carlitos seemed almost resigned in the face of such unwavering determination. Perhaps, after winning the first set, he anticipated a smoother path to victory. The brutal reality, however, proved otherwise.
As 8:20 PM struck in Italy, Sinner stepped up to serve for the Championship title. One could logically assume that every Italian fan held their breath as if watching the final scene of a gripping thriller. It was a moment eagerly anticipated, yet one that brought an inevitable surge of apprehension. A few, seemingly endless seconds, and then, three match points for our champion. Unlike the final lost frustratingly in Paris, this time, his destiny was in his own hands, determined by his serve. There was only one brief moment of uncertainty, enough to cause a collective gasp. Then, the triumph – arguably the most beautiful victory of his career, achieved in the hallowed grounds of world tennis.
Winning at Wimbledon grants direct entry into legend status. Sinner has elevated Italian tennis to an unprecedented level in its long and prestigious history. He remains the undisputed World No. 1, having now claimed two of the three Grand Slam tournaments played this season, bringing his career total to four. And he`s only 23 years old. Simultaneously, he has delivered a powerful statement to Carlos Alcaraz, making it clear that, for now, the hierarchy has been firmly re-established. Their rivalry promises to be a fierce duel for many years to come, particularly as few other potential challengers are visible on the horizon. One thing is certain: we won`t be bored.
The next installment awaits in New York at the US Open in late August and early September. Sinner, as the defending champion, enters as the favorite. Hard courts are, after all, his preferred hunting ground. We can likely look forward to more celebrations.
Adrian Whitmore