It wasn’t Carlos Alcaraz’s day on Centre Court, as his 728-day reign as Wimbledon champion came to an end.
The two-time defending champion walked onto the court as the favorite for the Wimbledon final, taking on his closest rival, Jannik Sinner.
Having beaten the Italian in each of their previous five ATP Tour meetings, the latest of which being their thriller in Paris, it seemed as though Alcaraz had all the momentum on his side.
However, whilst that momentum helped him take the first set, he was unable to hold on to the advantage, as Sinner came through to beat Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, to win his first Wimbledon title.
Watching the post-match ceremonies unfold, former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli noticed Alcaraz doing something as the Italian walked back onto the court after celebrating with his team.
Marion Bartoli watched Carlos Alcaraz ‘clapping’ Jannik Sinner as he returned to the court
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Bartoli praised Sinner and his team for their efforts, as she shared what Alcaraz was doing whilst sitting on his chair.
“So deserved, to be able to come back, play another Grand Slam, his fourth consecutive one, against the exact same opponent, in the same situation, serving for the match, and to pull out the game he has been able to pull together…” she said.
“He is actually now clapped by Carlos Alcaraz, who is sitting on his chair, clapping the performance of Jannik Sinner and his whole team as they embrace together.
“I can’t start to even imagine what they’ve been going through until this final, until this rematch, until this revenge.”
Earlier in the summer, Sinner let a two-set lead slip against Alcaraz in the French Open final, failing to convert Championship Points on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Getting his revenge in the highly anticipated rematch, Sinner picked up his fourth Grand Slam title, and his first away from hard courts.
Dubbed the ‘new two’ by some, Alcaraz and Sinner continue to entertain, as another former Wimbledon champion shares his thoughts on the final.
Pat Cash claims Carlos Alcaraz’s serve was ‘below-par’ against Jannik Sinner
Also speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, 1987 Wimbledon champion Pat Cash gave his verdict on Sinner’s win over Alcaraz.
“Great performance wasn’t it, great serving, nullifying the drop shots of Alcaraz,” he said.
“Alcaraz was definitely below par on serve, which made the big difference.”
Making just 53% of his first serves and hitting 15 double faults, Alcaraz was vulnerable to Sinner throughout.
| Player | Aces | Double faults | 1st Serve % | Win % on 1st Serve | Win % on 2nd Serve |
| Jannik Sinner | 8 | 2 | 62% | 75% | 64% |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 15 | 7 | 53% | 75% | 58% |
The Italian’s level never dipped, something Cash found extraordinary, as he commented on the trials and tribulations of Sinner’s 2025 campaign.
“From what he’s been through this year and last year, to get three Grand Slams after that drug ban, scandal, it’s phenomenal,” said Cash.
“He’s just such an incredible ball striker, when he’s hot, he’s untouchable really.
“His performance was just so solid the whole match. I know Carlos was up and down a little bit; that was the difference, his performance just didn’t dip at all.
“Alcaraz produced some amazing stuff at the end of the first to grab that first set. We were waiting for it to happen again, but Sinner just keeps you shackled.
“Big hitting, big serving, really well deserved.”
Beating Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final, Sinner closed the gap to the Spaniard in the list of active Grand Slam champions.
Most Grand Slam titles (Active players)
- 1. Novak Djokovic – 24
- 2. Carlos Alcaraz – 5
- 3. Jannik Sinner – 4
- 4. Stan Wawrinka – 3
- T-5. Daniil Medvedev – 1
- T-5. Marin Cilic – 1
It remains to be seen if Sinner can move level with Alcaraz on five with a win at the US Open in September, but it will certainly be something to look out for.
The 2025 US Open is scheduled to begin on Sunday, August 24.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
