Jannik Sinner etched his name into tennis lore as Wimbledon champion, defeating Carlos Alcaraz in four sets on Centre Court. The victory, celebrated with a traditional trophy photo featuring his ‘Forza Italia’ scarf, was momentarily overshadowed by controversy ignited by rival Nick Kyrgios and amplified by British media regarding past Clostebol doping cases involving both finalists, deemed “involuntary contamination” by authorities.
Despite appearing awkward during royal protocol with the Princess of Wales and dancing with women’s champion Iga Swiatek, Sinner radiated joy and emotion. “I almost cried,” confessed the first Italian men’s singles champion at the All England Club during the Champions’ Gala. “Because here, on this grass, you breathe history. Wimbledon is everything for a tennis player. It is ‘the’ tournament.”
The numbers confirm his dominance: a record £2.7 million (approx. €3.2 million) prize, instantly doubling his 2024 tournament earnings; a record 3,460-point lead over Alcaraz in the ATP rankings; and becoming only the fifth man since 1990 to surpass 12,000 ranking points, joining Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and Murray. Television viewership soared, averaging nearly six million across Sky platforms and peaking at 7.6 million for the match point.
Commentator Boris Becker declared Sinner’s “only future opponent is Sinner himself,” highlighting the anticipated decade-long rivalry with Alcaraz that captivated audiences. Sinner now joins Italian sporting icons like Coppi and Tomba. Addressing the Clostebol controversy directly, particularly after The Times noted Kyrgios’s barbed comments and media questions framing it as a “win for Sinner and his lawyers,” the World No. 1 remained composed. He stated winning felt “even more special” due to the intense stress of the preceding months, known only to his inner circle. “There will always be people who believe in you or not. That’s all,” he added.
Reflecting on sharing the triumph with Swiatek, who also faced a doping case, Sinner said, “Iga and I talked about it yesterday, and in a way, we celebrated even more.” True to his adaptable nature, he overcame his dancing nerves: “Dancing isn’t my forte, but I’ll do it with Iga and find a solution somehow.” The dance, though hesitant, concluded with another characteristic Sinner smile.