Jannik Sinner believes the pain of his defeat in the French Open final inspired him to take revenge on Carlos Alcaraz and be crowned Wimbledon champion.
The Italian came from a set down in Sunday’s final to beat defending champion Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in a sensational performance just five weeks after their five-set epic at Roland Garros.
‘It’s so special,’ said Sinner. ‘Emotionally, I had a very tough loss in Paris. At the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter how you win or you lose, especially in important tournaments. You just have to understand what you did wrong. That is exactly what we did, to accept the loss and to keep working.
‘This is for sure one of the reasons why I hold the trophy.’
Sinner’s victory comes just 10 weeks after he returned from a three-month ban following two positive tests for banned substance clostebol.
‘I was very emotional, even if I don’t cry,’ added Sinner. ‘Only me and the people who are close to me know exactly what we have been through on and off the court. It has been everything except easy.
‘We’ve tried to push every practice session, even though I was struggling at times mentally.’
Sinner was nearly struck by a flying champagne cork during the second set, leading the umpire to ask spectators on Centre Court not to open bottles while the players were about to serve.
‘Only here at Wimbledon!’ added Sinner. ‘That’s exactly why we love playing here. It’s a very expensive tournament!’
Not for Sinner, who takes home £3million in prize money and secures a fourth Grand Slam title, becoming only the fifth player to hold three major men’s titles at the same time alongside his Australian Open and US Open crowns.
‘I was saying before the match, we would never have thought to be in this position back in the days when I was young, this was only a dream,’ said Sinner. ‘A dream of a dream as it was so far away from where I am from. I am living my dream.’
Sinner’s triumph ended a 24-match winning streak for Alcaraz and a run of 20 wins in a row at Wimbledon since Sinner last beat him in the fourth round three years ago.
Alcaraz, the 2023 and 2024 champion, missed the chance to join to Bjon Borg, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic as only the fifth player to win the men’s singles titles three years in a row.
The Spaniard and Sinner have now shared the last seven Grand Slams and Alcaraz believes his their rivalry is taking tennis to a new level.
‘It’s great for us and it’s great for tennis,’ said Alcaraz, who had the King of Spain watching on from the Royal Box.‘Every time we play each other, our level is really high.
‘I don’t think we watch a level like this, if I’m honest with you. I don’t see any players playing against each other having the same level.
‘This rivalry it’s going to be better and better.’
