Jannik Sinner cracked the Carlos Alcaraz code at last, ending a five-match losing streak against his great rival and so becoming the first Italian of either sex to lift a Wimbledon singles title.
Jannik Sinner cracked the Carlos Alcaraz code at last, ending a five-match losing streak against his great rival and so becoming the first Italian of either sex to lift a Wimbledon singles title.
In a match that supplied fine entertainment without ever quite matching the breathless thrill of their recent French Open masterpiece, Sinner’s route-one approach – big serve, big groundstrokes – overcame Alcaraz’s more unpredictable methods in a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory.
The match peaked in the superlative game that Sinner produced to level up the score at one set all, coming up with three incredible “steals” – as the tennis jargon has it – when he appeared to be on the back foot in rallies.
It felt like an echo of the game Alcaraz played in Paris to set up a deciding-set tie-break, when he got out of jail repeatedly with some ingenious shot-making.
This is the nature of the great rivalry that we are watching unfold. When Alcaraz plays Sinner, there is the match itself, and then there is the meta-match – in which each ploy is soon met with a counter–ploy. It is increasingly difficult to know where to place your bets.
The crowd came alive in Sinner’s penultimate service game when he faced two break points at 15-40. With the whole of Centre Court willing Alcaraz to break back, and thus extend their entertainment a little longer, a less steely competitor would have become tight and tentative.
But Sinner’s greatest asset, perhaps even more than his world-beating groundstrokes, is his impassive personality: he often seems to have his head in an invisible fridge.
Serving for the match at 5-4 in the fourth set, just as he did at the French Open, Sinner could have felt inhibited by that scar tissue. It would have been so easy to hesitate, especially when Alcaraz upped the intensity and sent ball after ball thrumming deep towards his baseline.
But no: the icy Italian lived up to his Alpine roots (he is from South Tyrol, a German-speaking area which actually feels more like Austria). One ruthless point found him working Alcaraz back and forward across the court until the racket slipped out of his grasp.
A few seconds later, Sinner banged down another unreturned serve – his 38th of the match – and raised his arms in the air. He had blocked the Alcaraz “three-peat” and become only the sixth man to win Wimbledon in the past 23 years.
During the presentation ceremony, master of ceremonies Annabel Croft asked Sinner how challenging this fortnight had been on both a physical and emotional level.
“Mostly emotionally,” he replied. “Because I had a very tough loss in Paris. But 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, try to work on that. 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 here.”
During his post-match press conference, Alcaraz was asked whether he had been surprised by Sinner’s response to their last meeting. “He didn’t surprise me at all because I know he’s a big champion,” came the reply. “Champions learn from the – I’m not going to say failures – but they learn from the losses.”
It’s easy to forget now that Sinner’s very participation in the later rounds of this tournament had stood in doubt after his fourth-round win over Grigor Dimitrov. He had suffered a heavy fall early in that match, and practised for only 20 minutes the following day while awaiting the results of a scan on his right forearm.
But those who follow Sinner closely know that he is super-sensitive to any little physical disruptions, not to say prone to the occasional bout of hypochondria.
Despite wearing a white sleeve on the suspect arm since that match last Monday, he has served magnificently since then, with TennisViz’s statisticians marking his performance on that shot at 8.3 out of 10 in this final. Alcaraz’s serve, by contrast, wilted under pressure as he landed his first delivery only 53 per cent of the time – his lowest figure of the tournament.
“I played against one of the best returners on tour, without a doubt,” said Alcaraz, who had humorously described himself as a servebot earlier in the tournament. “It was a weapon that I wish it could be better, but today, with the nerves and everything, it was difficult.”
This was the first time that Alcaraz had been defeated in a major final, at the sixth attempt. He didn’t seem overly dejected afterwards, nevertheless. Even the greatest champions – with the partial exception of Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros – find it difficult to produce their best selves in every final.
“I’m just really, really happy about having this rivalry with him,” said Alcaraz, whose internal tension was evident in his struggles to deploy his legendary drop shots with their usual accuracy. “Just really grateful for that because it gives me the opportunity to give my 100 per cent every practice, every day.”
‘It is great for tennis’: Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry to push sport to new heights
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz believe they will push each other to even greater heights over the next decade in a rivalry that is set to define tennis for a generation.
Following five straight defeats against Alcaraz, including an agonising loss from two sets ahead at the French Open, Sinner recovered from losing the first set to add the Wimbledon crown to his Australian and French Open titles. Sinner and Alcaraz have now shared the past seven major titles in a rivalry, even at the respective ages of 23 and 22, which is already being compared to some of the sport’s most iconic head-to-heads.
Alcaraz said that they were currently at a different level to the rest of tennis while Sinner’s coach, Darren Cahill, who has been on the men’s tour for the past four decades, believes the standard of tennis has been up with the best of all time. Sinner also expressed gratitude – “thank you for the player you are”– to Alcaraz. “Keep going, keep pushing, you are going to hold this trophy many times,” Sinner said, before describing his Wimbledon triumph, and immediate membership of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, as a dream.
“When you lose several times against someone, it’s not easy. I keep looking up to Carlos. The differences are very small – the margins are tiny. We have a big target on us and we have to be prepared. I don’t think I’m at my best. I’m 23.”
🗣 "Words can't do that point justice!" 🤯
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 13, 2025
Carlos Alcaraz seals the first set in style 🔥#Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/r5MoR0Js1G
Sinner also referred to the difficulties he has faced this year, starting with accepting a three-month doping ban, followed by his agonising Paris loss to Alcaraz. “Only me and people close to me know what we have been through on and off the court,” he said. “It has been anything but easy. I was struggling at times mentally, maybe even more in practice sessions.”
And what would he have said in February, when he accepted his ban, if he was told that he would reach the next two grand-slam finals? “I would not have believed them – it is so difficult to arrive in the late stages of grand slams,” he said. “It hasn’t been easy. I tried to believe in myself, accept what happened and get better as a player.”
Of a rivalry sustained on excellence rather than any personal spice, Alcaraz added: “I don’t see any player, playing against each other, having the level that we are playing when we face each other. I think we don’t watch a level like this. I think it’s great for us, and it is great for tennis.
“And, this rivalry, it’s getting better and better. It gives me the opportunity to just give my 100 per cent every practice, every day, just to be better, thanks to that.”
Cahill, who previously coached Andre Agassi and Lleyton Hewitt before having a front-row seat for the era of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, said: “The quality of Roland Garros was one of the best matches I’ve ever seen in the 25 years I’ve been as a coach. We had five sets of that drama. It was one of the all-time great matches. The rivalry I think is amazing already, and I think it can get better with both these players pushing each other. I do think there’s some other younger players coming through that will punch their way through the door, so it won’t just be a two-man show.
“It’s been a golden age in tennis with Novak and Roger and Rafa and Andy. They dominated for 20 years. These guys still have a ways to go, but they’ve started incredibly well, and they’ll have some more amazing matches.
“You need to prepare a player to deal with all sorts of possibilities – but Carlos is a big focus. I would say that Jannik watches more Carlos matches than he does anybody else because he’s fascinated with the improvements that are coming in his game, and he’s pushing us as coaches. So the rivalry is real. It’s there. And hopefully it’s going to be there and real for the next 10 or 12 years.”
08:31 PM BST
A rivalry that is getting better and better
08:21 PM BST
Nick Kyrgios tweets an asterisk after Sinner win
The Australian was a big critic of Sinner following his failed drugs test
08:08 PM BST
Sinner greets the Royals
A special gift from the new #Wimbledon Champion to Their Royal Highnesses Prince George and Princess Charlotte 😁 pic.twitter.com/GQasAeaj5R
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 13, 2025
08:00 PM BST
Sinner joins the Wimbledon trophy board
✍️ 2025 J. Sinner
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 13, 2025
A new name is etched into #Wimbledon history ✨ pic.twitter.com/Djoip3VDJ3
07:56 PM BST
Sinner reacts
I’d like to start with Carlos. Again, an amazing tournament from you but thank you for the player you are. It’s so difficult to play against you. On the court we just try to build it up. Keep going and keep pushing, you are going to hold this trophy many times - you already have two!
It’s so special for me. Seeing my parents, brother, my whole team here, it’s amazing. Emotionally, I had a very tough loss in Paris, but at the end of the day it doesn’t matter how you win or lose.
You have to understand what you did wrong, accept the loss and keep working. I’m so grateful I’m healthy and have great people around me. Any moment can change the match, so I’m so happy I held my nerve.
07:51 PM BST
More reaction from Alcaraz
I’m really happy and proud of everything. At the beginning, I struggled on and off the court. But suddenly I started to bring joy onto the court again and that excitement that I have every time I step on the court is down to my family and friends.
Without them, it would not be possible. It is a great journey so far and I just want to keep going and to keep bringing joy onto the court. I have my team to thank for so much.
07:47 PM BST
Alcaraz reacts
It’s difficult to lose. It always is, even if it’s in the final. I have to congratulate Jannik once again. It was an unbelievable two weeks for you in London.
I’m really happy for you, and happy to be able to build a really good relationship and rivalry on the court. You make me improve every day. I’m proud about everything I’m doing. I struggled a bit at the start of the season but suddenly I started to bring joy on the court again.
It’s been a great journey so far. I’m going to be back for sure.
07:41 PM BST
The first Italian man to win the Wimbledon singles title
07:34 PM BST
Revenge for Sinner
07:32 PM BST
Watch: How Sinner conquered Alcaraz at Wimbledon
Jannik Sinner is a Wimbledon champion 🇮🇹
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 13, 2025
The world No.1 defeats Carlos Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to win the 2025 Gentlemen's Singles Trophy 🏆#Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/UMnwV4Fw78
07:32 PM BST
Watch: How Sinner conquered Alcaraz at Wimbledon
Jannik Sinner is a Wimbledon champion 🇮🇹
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 13, 2025
The world No.1 defeats Carlos Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to win the 2025 Gentlemen's Singles Trophy 🏆#Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/UMnwV4Fw78
07:28 PM BST
Sinner celebrates
No wild celebrations or collapse to the floor by Sinner. But he does crouch down and bow his head. This means a lot to him.
He then goes up the stairs to visit his team and shares long embraces with them all.
He was the better player today and thoroughly deserved it.
A hug for mum 💜#Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/3uXLsUcTBB
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 13, 2025
07:25 PM BST
Alcaraz 6-4, 4-6, 4-6, 4-6 Sinner*
Loud chants of ‘Carlos’ as he walks out to the Royal Box end. The game starts with a very tense rally, which ends when Alcaraz sends a forehand into the tramlines.
Shake of the racket from Sinner as he drills a backhand winner down the line, 30-0. Alcaraz does everything he can to stay in the point but Sinner does enough, finishing with a volley winner. Three championship points.
Sinner nets a backhand on the first. 137mph first serve down the T by Sinner. GAME SET CHAMPIONSHIP SINNER!!!!
07:19 PM BST
Alcaraz* 6-4, 4-6, 4-6, 4-5 Sinner
Gasps from the crowd after a crunching Sinner forehand sets up a simple volley winner, 30-30. Body serve into Sinner, who nets a backhand return.
Lovely drop volley winner by Alcaraz to hold and do what he needs to do. Sinner to serve for the Championship after the change of ends.
07:17 PM BST
Alcaraz 6-4, 4-6, 4-6, 3-5 Sinner*
Oh hello. Sinner shanks a forehand high and wide, 15-30. Alcaraz backhand lands on Sinner’s baseline and the Italian sends a backhand of his own long, two break points.
Sinner’s first serve has gone AWOL. But his second serve is good enough to save the first break point.
Frustration for Alcaraz as he kicks the ball away after sending a forehand long, deuce. Shake of the fist from Sinner as he survives. The musician Seal is on his feet and applauding. His man is one game away.
07:09 PM BST
Alcaraz* 6-4, 4-6, 4-6, 3-4 Sinner
Any exchanges over eight shots are being dominated by Sinner. The consistency of his ball striking has been very good. Alcaraz flicks a forehand into the tramlines and drops his head in frustration.
Both players think shots from the other are out but the rally continues and Sinner nets a backhand, 40-30. Alcaraz volley deep, Sinner can’t get there and Alcaraz holds.
07:04 PM BST
Alcaraz 6-4, 4-6, 4-6, 2-4 Sinner*
Sinner’s excellence on serve continues. He is not giving Alcaraz a sniff at a break back. But he does need a bit of luck to finish this game as his forehand clips the net cord and the ball drops short on Alcaraz’s side.
He’s two games away.
06:59 PM BST
Alcaraz* 6-4, 4-6, 4-6, 2-3 Sinner
Alcaraz looks to be in control at 40-0 but Sinner pulls it back to 40-30 with a volley winner and backhand down the line.
Angled backhand return from Sinner and Alcaraz nets his own backhand, deuce. Haven’t seen a drop shot from Alcaraz in a while. He doesn’t need it to hold here though and he stays in touch with Sinner.
Alcaraz hasn’t so much as had a break point in the last 10 Sinner service games. He needs to find something quickly.
06:53 PM BST
Alcaraz 6-4, 4-6, 4-6, 1-3 Sinner*
Sinner is cruising through his service games and holds to love swiftly. It is going to take something very special for Alcaraz to come back from this position.
06:51 PM BST
Alcaraz* 6-4, 4-6, 4-6, 1-2 Sinner
Sinner moves out to his right and whips a forehand down the line, Alcaraz goes long with his backhand, 15-30. Sinner nails a backhand winner down the line, 30-40.
Alcaraz second serve has no real pace on it, Sinner leans into it and drills a backhand return winner down the line.
Sinner breaks.
06:47 PM BST
Alcaraz 6-4, 4-6, 4-6, 1-1 Sinner*
Sinner with a love hold to get on the scoreboard. He finishes the game with a drive forehand. He hit that with authority and belief that he is the man to beat at the moment.
06:45 PM BST
Fourth set: Alcaraz* 6-4, 4-6, 4-6, 1-0 Sinner
Just like the French Open final, Alcaraz must come from behind if he wants to win the title. Both players will be well aware of that which makes for a fascinating next 20 minutes.
Alcaraz holds to 15 to start what is a must win set for him.
06:42 PM BST
‘Sinner’s serving in that set was astonishing’
Sinner’s serving in that set was astonishing. He found the second-serve ace under pressure at 30-30 in his penultimate service game and kept getting out of tight games. Sets are lasting about 45 minutes apiece so we should get away without a roof closure.
06:39 PM BST
Alcaraz 6-4, 4-6, 4-6 Sinner*
Sinner follows a double fault with a 132mph ace to move to 30-15. Good defensive lob by Alcaraz but an even better overhead smash by Sinner gives him two set points.
133mph first serve down the T by Sinner is too much for Alcaraz and enough to take the set.
06:37 PM BST
‘A problem for Alcaraz’
Alcaraz going back to the drop shot in the last couple of games. It worked for him beautifully in set one but has gone off the boil since then. I can only remember one more success, which was a lovely backhand lob winner after drawing Sinner forward a couple of minutes ago.
Three or four have missed the court and Sinner banged another one away for a forehand winner. It’s a problem for Alcaraz if he can’t win points this way; you may remember him befuddling Djokovic with the drop shot in the crucial moments of the 2023 final.
06:36 PM BST
Alcaraz* 6-4, 4-6, 4-5 Sinner
Alcaraz starts the game with a drop shot but the ball lands in the tramlines. Sinner overhead smash is too hot for Alcaraz to handle, 15-30. Alcaraz responds with a 137mph ace. This feels like a very important game.
Deep Sinner return, short reply by Alcaraz, Sinner runs around his backhand to whip a forehand into the corner. Break point to the Italian.
Alcaraz forehand into the corner, Alcaraz slides out to meet it and goes down but Sinner is there at the net to put away the volley.
Sinner breaks and will serve for the set.
06:31 PM BST
Alcaraz 6-4, 4-6, 4-4 Sinner*
Alcaraz is employing the drop shot a lot more now. Does he think he can tire out the Italian? A drop shot then lob over Sinner’s head is a winner for Alcaraz.
117mph wide ace, 40-30. And he powers down a 131mph wide ace on the other side to hold.
Sinner’s movement in this final has been off the charts, sliding out wide and recovering so fast to the centre of the court. It’s very reminiscent of Novak Djokovic, with an even bigger ball-strike to throw into the mix.
06:26 PM BST
Alcaraz* 6-4, 4-6, 4-3 Sinner
Alcaraz does what he needs to do and holds to love comfortably again. Scoreboard pressure may play a part very soon.
No more play now on the outside courts following completion of the various other competitions and just a long queue to watch the final up on the hill. No screen available to those in that queue, however, although Andrew Castle’s BBC commentary is sounding out from speakers all around the grounds.
06:22 PM BST
Alcaraz 6-4, 4-6, 3-3 Sinner*
Better from Alcaraz in this game as he pushes Sinner to 30-30. Alcaraz gets a look at a backhand pass but the ball drops wide.
OH WOW. Sinner between the legs shot off an Alcaraz forehand, Alcaraz puts up a lob and Sinner goes wide with the overhead, deuce.
Sinner manages to escape with a 133mph ace. We are fast approaching the squeaky-bum time of this set.
06:17 PM BST
Alcaraz* 6-4, 4-6, 3-2 Sinner
Backhand into the net from Alcaraz makes it 30-30. Big moment coming up.
Sinner takes the initiative and is well inside the baseline, Alcaraz digs in and Sinner is the first to blink, sending a forehand long, 40-30.
Sinner goes for an ambitious backhand return down the line and the ball just lands in the tramlines.
06:12 PM BST
Alcaraz 6-4, 4-6, 2-2 Sinner*
I think the crowd can sense Alcaraz is not at it at this stage of the match and are trying to rally behind him. Sinner holds to love and appears to be getting more comfortable out there.
One surprising detail so far: Sinner has been to the net more often than Alcaraz. He’s won 14 points of 22, to Alcaraz’s 10 of 15. It’s an indication of how determined Sinner is to stop his more unpredictable opponent from dictating.
06:09 PM BST
Alcaraz* 6-4, 4-6, 2-1 Sinner
Big chance for Sinner to get to 0-30 when he sprints up an Alcaraz drop volley but he nets the forehand. Bad miss that. Door opens for Sinner again when Alcaraz sends a backhand long, 30-all.
Alcaraz responds to the pressure moment with a forehand winner and holds when Sinner puts a backhand long.
06:04 PM BST
Alcaraz 6-4, 4-6, 1-1 Sinner*
At this stage of the match, both players are hovering around the 60 per cent mark for first serves in which is short of what they are usually at.
Sinner won’t mind too much, though as he runs around his backhand to whip a cross-court forehand into the corner for a winner.
06:01 PM BST
Third set: Alcaraz* 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 Sinner
Alcaraz’s level is definitely off. He’s hit two double faults and is now 15-40 down. To his credit, he responds to get level and hits a 123mph ace to hold.
05:57 PM BST
Second set verdicts from our experts
You sense Sinner is trying to play Alcaraz at his own game in many respects here. Waving his racket to the crowd to appeal for more applause? Straight out of the defending champion’s playbook, but almost unheard-of for the Italian.
Three incredible escapes from defence in that game from Sinner. Almost reminiscent of the game Alcaraz played to take the French Open final into a fifth-set tie-break. This is boiling up nicely.
05:54 PM BST
Alcaraz 6-4, 4-6 Sinner*
What a start by Sinner. He slides into a deep forehand by Alcaraz with a backhand. It should be an easy volley for Alcaraz but he’s too casual and drops the ball far enough for Sinner to sprint up and hit a cross court backhand winner. Sinner gestures to the crowd for more energy.
Defensive Alcaraz backhand is high and short of the mark, 30-15. More magic from Sinner as Alcaraz goes big again with forehand but Sinner goes even bigger with a forehand down the line winner, two set points.
Oh my goodness. You won’t see a better game from Sinner. Alcaraz hits a wide angled forehand and Sinner responds with an angled forehand winner on the full side.
Another jaw-dropping end to a set.
The UNBELIEVABLE set point from Sinner 💥 pic.twitter.com/SZ9SnJ73Xb
— Olly Tennis 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) July 13, 2025
05:48 PM BST
Alcaraz* 6-4, 4-5 Sinner
Alcaraz does what he needs to do and holds serve to 15 with a swinging wide ace. Sinner has been feeling the tension in the match, can Alcaraz raise his level to take advantage?
05:46 PM BST
Alcaraz 6-4, 3-5 Sinner*
Business-like service hold to love from Sinner. He’s a game away from the set.
All the highlight-reel stuff is coming from Alcaraz, as you might have guessed before the match. He has 21 winners to Sinner’s ten. But Sinner is hanging in there, competing well, despite possessing fewer options on the grass.
05:42 PM BST
Alcaraz* 6-4, 3-4 Sinner
Alcaraz looks to be in command of the game at 40-0 but Sinner pegs him back to 40-30. Third double fault of the match from Alcaraz makes it deuce.
And another double fault gives Sinner a break point. What’s going on here?
A fifth missed serve in a row for Alcaraz but he makes second serve and Sinner nets a backhand. Big chance missed there because Alcaraz eventually gets the service hold after a couple of first serves.
05:36 PM BST
Alcaraz 6-4, 2-4 Sinner*
An opening for Alcaraz after Sinner sends a forehand long, 15-30. 124mph first serve down the T and Alcaraz puts a forehand return long.
He ups the speed on his next serve, 135mph, and gets another unreturned ball, 40-30. A bit of luck for Sinner as his forehand catches the net cord and drops short on Alcaraz’s side.
05:32 PM BST
‘Some rare chinks in the Sinner poker-face’
Again, some rare chinks in the Sinner poker-face which reveal the pressure he is feeling. After an Alcaraz mishit found the sideline, he barked angrily at his player box. We never see that! But he held and is still a break up, despite the champagne cork that popped onto the court before his serve on his first game point. The ultimate first-world problem.
A champagne cork lands on Centre Court near Jannik Sinner 🍾😳
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 13, 2025
🗣 "Please do not pop the champagne corks as the players are about to serve!" ⛔#Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/RMjXI6rKQt
05:31 PM BST
Alcaraz* 6-4, 2-3 Sinner
Alcaraz gets back on track with a love hold, his first for a while. Let’s take a pause.
05:29 PM BST
Alcaraz 6-4, 1-3 Sinner*
Sinner slides into a volley but nets, 30-all. Will he live to regret that? Maybe not as Alcaraz sends a backhand long, 40-30.
Sinner forehand long. He gestures to his support box in frustration. The tension is palpable.
Boooos from the crowd after a champagne cork lands next to Sinner just before he was about to serve. Ridiculous. Do it during the changeover!!
Fortunately for Sinner, he keeps his head and holds to extend his lead.
“Please do not pop champagne corks while the player is about to serve” must surely count as the most quintessentially Wimbledon rebuke ever delivered from the umpire’s chair.
05:24 PM BST
‘Sinner-Alcaraz slugfest has gone past the duration of the ladies’ final’
It is hardly the most flattering point of comparison that the latest Sinner-Alcaraz slugfest has gone past the duration of the ladies’ final at the 4-6, 2-0 mark. We could be on for a repeat of the contrast in 2019, when Novak Djokovic took almost five hours to beat Roger Federer, while Serena Williams found herself crushed by Simona Halep in 56 minutes.
05:22 PM BST
Watch: How Alcaraz won the first set
Carlos Alcaraz, YOU CANNOT DO THAT 😮#Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/pGzjqJj7Bo
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 13, 2025
05:21 PM BST
‘Sinner’s been finding some traction in this match again’
We heard the rarest of things – a shout of “Let’s go!” from Sinner – as he staved off break point in game two of this set. Most players do this routinely but Sinner, the most self-contained of men, rarely displays such emotion.
He’s been finding some traction in this match again, especially with a few sweetly timed backhands up the line.
05:20 PM BST
Alcaraz* 6-4, 1-2 Sinner
There is an argument that when you compare the two players, Alcaraz’s top level is higher than Sinner. But Sinner is more capable of staying at the same high level for longer.
It feels as though, Alcaraz is having a slight dip and that’s allowing Sinner to take control. Alcaraz finds himself down 0-30 but recovers to lead 40-30 and then hammers down a 138mph wide first serve to hold.
05:16 PM BST
Alcaraz 6-4, 0-2 Sinner*
‘Unbelievable’ says someone behind me as Alcaraz picks off Sinner with another backhand pass, 15-30.
Alcaraz leaps into the air in frustration after slicing a backhand into the net. Sinner drop shot, Alcaraz gets there, Sinner opts to go down the line with backhand but puts the ball in the tramlines, 30-40. It didn’t need to be that good. Alcaraz was nowhere near it.
‘Let’s go’ says Sinner after saving the break point. He very rarely says anything in the heat of battle. That means he is feeling it.
And he is a lot happier as he survives that scare to hold.
05:10 PM BST
Second set: Alcaraz* 6-4, 0-1 Sinner
Almost feels like Alcaraz has not refocused after how he won the first set as he slips to 0-40. He saves the first break point, then the second with another drop shot that Sinner slips on the baseline trying to react to. Dodgy footwear?
Sinner gets back a 140mph serve from Alcaraz with interest and the Spaniard goes long with a forehand.
Sinner breaks.
05:08 PM BST
‘The genius of the drop shot’
The genius of the drop shot that brought up the first set point was that Alcaraz had held that tactic back. I think it was only the second one he had played. And as for the winning shot, well, it’s almost unfair.
05:06 PM BST
Alcaraz 6-4 Sinner*
Crowd thinks Alcaraz has nailed a backhand down the line but the ball was just wide and Hawkeye confirms it, 15-15. Nervous drive forehand for Sinner flies well long, 30-30. Massive point coming up.
Sinner takes all the time available to him and misses his first serve. He gets his second serve into play but Alcaraz is well into the point and hits a drop shot, Sinner slips and can’t get near it. Set point Alcaraz.
Sinner’s first serve has deserted him... but his second comes up trumps and Alcaraz puts a backhand return into the net.
First double fault of the match from Sinner. What a time for it. Second set point for Alcaraz.
No first serve in again for Sinner.... OH MY WORD. Both players stretch each other to the extreme, Sinner crushes a forehand down the line that would be a winner against everyone else in the world but a handful. Alcaraz gets there and slices a backhand that lands short in the service box on Sinner’s side and he can’t get there in time.
Incredible. Four games in a row for Alcaraz to take the set.
04:59 PM BST
Alcaraz upping the pace
Wow, Alcaraz just went even faster! 140mph out wide! A new personal record. He also won the rally of the match so far, an 18-shot marvel of pace and precision where he finally bullied Sinner into submission.
04:57 PM BST
Alcaraz* 5-4 Sinner
Gasps from the crowd after Alcaraz hits his first double fault of the match, 15-30. He responds with a beautifully hit top-spin second serve that bounces high and Sinner pushes his backhand return long, 30-30.
140mph wide ace catches the white chalk on the angle and flies away from Sinner. The Italian will now serve to stay in the set.
04:53 PM BST
Alcaraz 4-4 Sinner*
Ooooh and ahhhs from the crowd as Sinner and Alcaraz go toe-to-toe from the baseline. Breathtaking to watch.
Alcaraz has lifted his level here to earn two break points and at the very first attempt, Sinner nets a backhand. Alcaraz breaks back.
Sinner landing 75 per cent of first serves so far and that’s the difference between them, as Alcaraz is on 57. Off the ground, both are warming to their task, and scoring some spectacular winners.
04:49 PM BST
Alcaraz* 3-4 Sinner
Quality of this match is already very high. Both players trading winners, mixing up their tactics and sliding effortlessly on the grass like it is a clay-court.
Alcaraz holds to 15 when Sinner sends a backhand into the tramlines. The Italian should have done better there.
04:45 PM BST
Alcaraz 2-4 Sinner*
Sinner will know better than most that no lead is safe with Alcaraz so he can’t afford to drop his level. Alcaraz threatens a comeback after going from 30-0 to 30-all.
Sinner drop shot, Alcaraz somehow gets there but Sinner keeps his composure to put away the volley, 40-30. 137mph first serve from Sinner is too quick for Alcaraz and he consolidates the break.
It’s a little tricky to be 100 per cent sure, but it looks like Alcaraz’s 139mph serve to close out his second service game was the fastest recorded serve of his career. Shades of Becker-Curren with both men banging down some biggies early and not many rallies to speak of.
But that last Alcaraz service game was more textured: he only made three of eight first serves and that wasn’t enough as he was broken.
04:40 PM BST
Alcaraz* 2-3 Sinner
First big moment of the match. Sinner seizes the initiative on a short ball, hits a cross-court forehand but Alcaraz drills a backhand winner down the line, 30-15. A warning shot from the champ.
Back comes Sinner with a blistering backhand down the line of his own and Alcaraz goes down to the ground trying and failing to get there, deuce.
Alcaraz backhand into the net brings up the first break point of the match. Sinner down the line, Alcaraz goes to meet it and sends a forehand long.
Sinner breaks.
04:34 PM BST
Alcaraz 2-2 Sinner*
Sinner gets his first love hold of the match. Serve is king in the early stages. Both players feeling each other out like the opening rounds of the heavyweight boxing contest.
04:30 PM BST
Alcaraz* 2-1 Sinner
Alcaraz’s serving during the grass-court season has been sensational. Serving aces for fun and winning a high number of points on his first serve. He moves serenely to 40-0 but Sinner pegs him back to 40-30 to maybe make things interesting.
139mph first serve in and Sinner nets a backhand return to give the game to Alcaraz.
04:27 PM BST
Alcaraz 1-1 Sinner*
My initial feeling is that the crowd on Centre are favouring Alcaraz at the beginning. Perhaps not a major surprise but let’s see how the match progresses.
I’d also say Sinner is yet to settle fully into the match despite a hold to 30. It’s up to four unforced errors and his shots have been a bit tentative.
At least there will be no bagels in the first set!
04:22 PM BST
First set: Carlos Alcaraz* 1-0 Jannik Sinner (*denotes server)
136mph ace to start the match by the defending champion and he holds to love when Sinner sends a backhand long.
As openings go, that was pretty perfect.
04:17 PM BST
Here we go!
The Royals are in their seats. The players have arrived on court. Barely an empty green seat on Centre.
The sense of excitement is at an all-time high.
Let’s go!
It's time for the Gentlemen's Singles Final ✨
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 13, 2025
🇮🇹 Jannik Sinner vs Carlos Alcaraz 🇪🇸#Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/VbJPU3Siwn
04:05 PM BST
Pre-match stats
- After winning the title here in 2023 and 2024, Alcaraz is bidding to become the 5th player in the Open Era to win three consecutive Wimbledon men’s singles titles - after Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
- Alcaraz is also bidding to join Borg as the 2nd player in the Open Era to win back-to-back men’s singles titles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon in consecutive years.
- Aged 22 years 69 days, he is also looking to become the 2nd-youngest player in the Open Era to win six grand slam titles. Only Borg won six major titles at a younger age, claiming his 6th Grand Slam title at the 1978 Wimbledon aged 22 years 32 days.
- Sinner is aiming to become the first Italian player to win a Wimbledon singles title - after runner-up finishes for compatriots Matteo Berrettini in 2021 and Jasmine Paolini last year.
- Victory for Sinner would also see him claim his 4th grand slam title, extending his all-time record for most Grand Slam singles titles won by an Italian player.
- By reaching the final here, he has become the 11th player in the Open Era to reach the men’s singles final at all four grand slam tournament.
03:58 PM BST
Road to the final
03:50 PM BST
Breaking: Wimbledon men’s final delayed
We are hearing now that Sinner and Alcaraz will walk onto court at 4.10pm, 10 minutes later than scheduled. That is because the three-set ladies’ doubles final finished only 15 minutes ago.
The decision to stage the men’s and women’s singles finals at 4pm, two hours later than usual, was to appeal to global broadcasters. It means on the west coast of the United States, the final starts at the more generous time of 8am, rather than 6am.
The All England Club said the decision to move the singles finals to later slots, with doubles showpieces starting at 1pm “makes for a better conclusion to the Championships”.
03:43 PM BST
Awful look for Wimbledon to have two players who served drug bans in the finals
There will be twin elephants in the room when Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner walk out on Centre Court to contest their first Wimbledon finals this weekend.
For the first time in the Championships – and in grand-slam history – two players who have served drugs bans compete for the women’s and men’s singles titles. That they are also both multiple major winners and were ranked world No 1 when they failed their doping tests last year has only made it more controversial.
Yesterday Iga Swiatek lifted tennis’s biggest prize and Sinner will have his chance to do the same.
For some of their rivals, they are lucky to be at Wimbledon at all after avoiding lengthy exiles from the game over the discovery of banned substances in their systems.
Click here to read more on the controversial pasts of Swiatek and Sinner.
03:35 PM BST
You cannot be serious? Wimbledon’s most anarchic moments remembered
What’s going on at Wimbledon? We’ve had dodgy automated line calls, rows over the roof, and Rufus the hawk being outed by his handler. In truth, twas ever thus. You don’t bring a thousand-odd players to this temple of tennis, then mix them in with 500 reporters and 39 different broadcasters, all hunting for stories, without generating the odd schemozzle. But which summers have thrown up the most chaotic tournaments?
Here is Telegraph Sport’s list of Wimbledon anarchy.
03:23 PM BST
Sunday’s guests in the Royal Box
- Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte
- King Felipe VI of Spain
- Chris Evert, three-time Wimbledon champion
- Stefan Edburg, two-time Wimbledon champion
- Andre Agassi, 1992 Wimbledon champion
- Sir Chris Hoy, former track cyclist and six-time Olympic champion
- Sir Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
- Nicole Kidman, actor
- Keira Knightley, actor
- Matthew McConaughey, actor
- Paul Mescal, actor
- Anna Wintour, Vogue editor-in-chief
03:17 PM BST
Alcaraz looking very relaxed
Carlos Alcaraz is a popular guy 🫶#Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/zg094ydLAR
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 13, 2025
03:09 PM BST
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03:02 PM BST
Wimbledon men’s final: World No 1 vs No 2
Hello and welcome to the final day of Wimbledon with the tournament poised to end on a perfect note as Carlos Alcaraz faces Jannik Sinner in the men’s final.
It is the showdown most people wanted after what we saw in the Roland Garros final last month. On that occasion, Alcaraz saved three match points and fought back from two sets down in an epic five-and-a-half-hour battle. Ahead of today’s match, Sinner insisted his Paris heartbreak is ancient history.
“I think if it would be a lot in my head, I would not be in the situation to play a final again,” Sinner said. “I’m very happy to share once again the court with Carlos. It’s going to be difficult, I know that. But I’m looking forward to it.”
Sinner booked his place in the final after outclassing Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals while defending champion Alcaraz had got the better of Taylor Fritz.
Of the nine losses world No 1 Sinner has had since the start of 2024, more than half have been against Alcaraz.The Spaniard goes into the final on a 24-match winning streak dating back to April, while he has not lost in 20 contests at Wimbledon. But the last defeat he suffered in SW19 was against Sinner back in 2022.
“I just see Jannik playing great tennis on grass,” Alcaraz said. “The movement on grass is the hardest thing to get and the most important thing, at least for me. And the movement that Jannik has on grass is unbelievable. He’s sliding like he’s playing on clay from both legs. It’s just unbelievable. I’m pretty sure he’s going to take a lot of things from the French Open final, that he’s going to be better. He’s going to be better physically, he’s going to be better mentally.”
So the stage is set for a fitting end to a sun-filled Wimbledon fortnight and if today’s duel is even remotely as compelling as the one in Paris, we are in for a treat.
Category: General Sports
