Alcaraz went down to Sinner in another enthralling major final.
Carlos Alcaraz has endeared himself to the tennis world with a classy Wimbledon runner-up speech after going down to Jannik Sinner in another absorbing grand slam final between the pair. Sinner avenged his loss to Alcaraz in the French Open decider last month with a come-from-behind 4-6 6-4 6-4 6-4 victory, becoming the first Italian to win the Wimbledon title in historic scenes.
Sinner’s win saw him clinch a fourth career grand slam title to leave him one behind Alcaraz, who had never previously tasted defeat in a major final. But the 22-year-old Spaniard showed why he’s so loved around the tennis world after praising his opponent’s display in a classy runner-up speech that left fans in awe of the humble Spaniard.
It’s always difficult to lose. First of all, I have to congratulate Jannik. Congratulations on your win,” Alcaraz said. “It is a really well deserved trophy. An unbelievable two weeks for you here in London playing great tennis.
For your team as well, I know there are a lot of family and friends here that watched you in the final, so it’s just an amazing team around you. Just really happy for you. Keep it going and really happy to be able to build a really good relationship off the court, but then a great rivalry on the court that makes me improve every day. So, thank you very much and congratulations.”
Sunday’s final at the All England Club was the first time in 23 years that none of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Andy Murray featured in the men’s decider. And watched on by the Prince and Princess of Wales, it continued the epic rivalry that Sinner and Alcaraz have forged, with the pair clearly the dominant forces on the men’s tour after sharing the last seven major titles between them.
Sinner has now won four of them, but continues to be a divisive figure for some fans who’ve suggested he should not have been competing after his two positive doping tests and subsequent three month ban. Nevertheless, Sinner and Alcaraz continue to play with a superb level of respect for each other and the sport, and were seen embracing after the match in heartwarming scenes.
Jannik Sinner beats ‘amazing’ rival Carlos Alcaraz
The Italian was also quick to pay his respects to his rival in an equally classy Wimbledon victory speech. “Hello everyone. First of all, I would like to start with Carlos, again, amazing tournament but mostly thank you for the player you are,” Sinner said.
It’s so difficult to play against you but we have, as you said, an amazing relationship off the court, and on the court we just try to build up and for doing that we need the best teams in the world and also you have the best team. So keep going, keep pushing, you are going to hold many, many times this trophy, you have already two, so!”
Alcaraz had been on a career-best 24-match winning streak, and had won 20 matches in a row at the All England Club – including the 2023 and 2024 titles. “It’s always a bad feeling losing matches,” the World No.2 said.
“It’s a little bit even worse when you lose in a final. I just want to keep the good moments and try to forget the bad moments. I just want to think, ‘OK, I just played a final in a grand slam, and try to forget that I lost it.’
Alcaraz and Sinner will now turn their attentions towards the final grand slam tournament of the year at the US Open, where the Italian will be hoping to defend his title. And for Alcaraz, it’s an opportunity to banish the demons of a shock second round exit at Flushing Meadows in 2024, when he was bundled out in straight sets by Dutchman, Botic van de Zandschulp.
