Sinner stops Alcaraz's reign

Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz must do something he's never been forced to do before: figure out how to overcome a loss in a Grand Slam final.

Alcaraz had a 5-0 record in title matches at major tournaments until Sunday, when his Wimbledon reign ended with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 loss to No. 1 Jannik Sinner.

“It’s always a bad feeling to lose matches,” said Alcaraz, who is ranked second. “It’s a little worse when you lose in a final.”

The truth is that the Murcian isn't used to coming out on the wrong side of the scoreboard; he had won 20 consecutive matches at the All England Club, securing the 2023 and 2024 championships with victories over Novak Djokovic.

She entered Sunday riding a 24-match unbeaten streak, the longest of her career this season. She had won five straight matches against Sinner, including their epic five-set final at the French Open five weeks earlier.

“I just want to remember the good times and try to forget the bad times,” Alcaraz said. “I just want to think, ‘OK, I just played a Grand Slam final, and try to forget that I lost it.’”

He started well on Centre Court, taking the first set with spectacular play from 4-4, including a 140 mph ace to hold for 5-4 and a backhand crosscourt winner to break in the next game.

But as the match progressed, his ability to reach Sinner's serve diminished: in the final three sets, Alcaraz accumulated only three break points and converted none. Another problem was that his serve, although fast, was inconsistent. Yes, there were 15 aces, but there were also seven double faults. His first-serve percentage was just 53%. He was broken a total of five times, at least once per set.

A particular problem was his second serve, as Sinner was hitting hard returns on those slower serves. This left Alcaraz on the defensive too often.

“Today was a little bit tricky,” Alcaraz said, acknowledging that Sinner is “one of the best returners on tour, without a doubt.” “I mean, with the nerves and everything, it was hard to serve better,” he added. “I just have to improve on that, absolutely.”

And he acknowledged that the defeat was more due to Sinner than any kind of fatigue.

“He was pushing me to the limit on every point. At times, I didn't know what to do in the match because from the baseline, I felt like he was better than me, and there was nothing I could do about it.”

Actors Keira Knightley, Matthew McConaughey, Nicole Kidman, and John Lithgow were all in the Royal Box. Mexican striker Raúl Jiménez and his wife, Daniela Basso, also enjoyed the Wimbledon final.