Italian earns 6-7(7), 7-6(2), 6-3, 6-4 victory

Jannik Sinner became the 10th player to successfully defend the Wimbledon men’s singles title on Sunday, when he battled past first-time finalist Alexander Zverev 6-7(7), 7-6(2), 6-3, 6-4 to clinch his fifth major trophy and first this year.

The No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, Sinner suffered a shock second-round exit at Roland Garros in May, when he struggled in the conditions during his five-set defeat to Juan Manuel Cerundolo. Zverev capitalised on the Italian's early departure in Paris, going on to claim his maiden major title.

But on the lawns of SW19, there would be no repeat. Fit, confident and peaking at the perfect time, Sinner denied Zverev's bid to become the first man in the Open Era (since 1968) to follow his maiden major title with another at the very next Grand Slam event.

While Sinner was forced to work through patches of inconsistency during the opening week of The Championships, he rediscovered his very best tennis in the closing stages. After dismantling Novak Djokovic in straight sets in the semi-finals for the second consecutive year, the top seed carried that momentum into another assured display in windy conditions on Centre Court.

“We both started off very well. We prepared in the best possible way, me and my team, so I have to thank the whole team and the whole support I get from the whole box," Sinner said during the trophy presentation. "It has been an amazing final once again and it always takes two players and Sascha and I tried to give everything we had. I am very happy about the win, but also the level that we both played.”

In a serve-dominated final, Zverev made 76 per cent of his first deliveries and played far more aggressively than normal to put the top seed under pressure. However, Sinner remained patient, demonstrated his impressive agility to slide into the corners, and soaked up Zverev's aggressive ball-striking.

The World No. 1 crucially increased his level in the second-set tie-break to gain a foothold in the clash and then clinically earned two decisive breaks of the Zverev serve, once in each of the third and fourth sets, to seal victory after three hours and 46 minutes.

Sinner, who saved the only break point he faced and struck 58 winners, collapsed to the ground after sealing victory on his first match point and then rose, smiling in the direction of his team following his biggest win of the season. By improving to 5-2 in Grand Slam finals, the champion will hold a 4,970-point advantage over the soon-to-be World No. 2 Zverev in Monday's PIF ATP Rankings. The 24-year-old also leaves London with the champion's cheque of £3.6 million.

“There is no better place to play tennis,” Sinner added. “You can feel the nerves Sunday morning waking up and it is a very special day and you never know how many times you will be able to come back on Sunday, so I never take things for granted.”

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Sinner has now won a Tour-leading six titles in 2026, having completed the Career Golden Masters in Rome in May. However, prior to Sunday, the 24-year-old had not triumphed at a major since he defeated Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon last year. However, the Italian returned to the winners' circle at Grand Slam level when he struck a forehand winner on match point. The Italian has now earned victory in his past 10 Lexus ATP Head2Head meetings against Zverev (11-4) and has won 17 of their past 18 sets.

“Congratulations to Jannik. He showed once again why he is the best player in the world,” Zverev said during the trophy presentation. “It was great to share Centre Court with you on finals weekend, it is great to be here.

“To my team. We’ve had a pretty good two months even though we lost this final. An amazing two months. We came into Wimbledon having never reached a quarter-final and we played a first Wimbledon final. At 29 years old this is the first time I believe I can win this trophy.”

In an engaging start in the mid-afternoon London sun, Sinner and Zverev produced an early contender for point of the match in the first game, when the German punched a volleyed winner into the open court on the 22nd shot of a bruising baseline rally. Sinner’s first opening came at 3-4, but the Italian could only mishit a forehand on break point, with Zverev then finding first serves to level at 4-4.

Both players remained in control on serve in the windy conditions, leading to a tie-break. Zverev saved one set point with an ace at 6/7 and then sealed the opener on his second set point with a crushing forehand winner, breaking Sinner’s 14-set streak against the 29-year-old.

Zverev continued to play aggressively in the second set, taking large cuts off both wings at every opportunity he had. The German crushed the ball from the baseline, but Sinner was able to slide into the corners to absorb the danger, hanging tough to maintain a foothold.

With no break points on offer through the 12 games of the second set, it was Sinner who this time found his best level in the tie-break. The top seed raced to a 4/0 lead and hugged the baseline to dominate and level.

In the seventh game of the third set, Zverev conjured his first break point of the match when he drew an error from Sinner. The Italian hit a drop shot to save the break point, with the German slipping and hitting the deck. Sinner walked around the net to the far baseline to ensure the second seed was fine, with Zverev quickly returning to his feet despite the brief scare to his right knee.

Sinner went on to hold and then clinically broke the Zverev serve for the first time when the German mishit a forehand long. The Italian raced through the next game to lead for the first time.

With his foot on the gas and the evening sunlight fading, Sinner then gained the crucial break of the fourth set when he struck a forehand out of the reach of Zverev on his third break point of a gripping seventh game of the set. The Italian, backed by a raucous crowd inside Centre Court, then clinically closed out in an entertaining final game, which included a diving volley and a deft Sinner drop shot, to maintain his dominant record against Zverev.

Zverev had never previously been beyond the fourth round at Wimbledon in nine appearances but played with a sense of freedom throughout the past fortnight to roll through the draw. The 29-year-old dropped just two sets en route to the championship match and was looking to become the seventh man to complete the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double in the same season.

Three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker and 1991 winner Michael Stich remain the only German men to lift the trophy at The All England Club. Zverev was the first German man to reach the final at Wimbledon since Becker in 1995.

“You reached one of your main goals, winning Grand Slams and you made it happen in Paris and today you were so, so close,” Sinner said to Zverev during the presentation. “If you play like this, I am very sure you will have this one at home as well. I know your goal is to become No. 1 in the world as well and you are very close.”

Did You Know?
Sinner has now won 17 ‘Big Titles’ – a combination of Grand Slam championships, trophies at the Nitto ATP Finals and ATP Masters 1000 tournaments, and Olympic singles gold medals. Alcaraz has won 15 Big Titles, although the Spaniard still owns more major trophies (7-5).