Italy’s Jannik Sinner celebrates with the trophy after profitable his remaining match in opposition to Germany’s Alexander Zverev on July 12, 2026. — Reuters
LONDON: Jannik Sinner retained his Wimbledon title by beating Alexander Zverev 6-7(7) 7-6(2) 6-3 6-4 within the remaining on Sunday to say his fifth Grand Slam crown and prolong his dominance over the German to 10 straight victories.
The win positioned Sinner in uncommon firm because the tenth man within the skilled period to efficiently defend the title, strengthening his credentials as one of many dominant gamers of his technology whereas he chases down massive rival Carlos Alcaraz’s seven majors.
“There’s no better place, honestly, to play tennis,” Sinner stated as he cradled the pineapple-topped Problem Cup.
“I’m standing here. You can feel the nerves on a Sunday morning when you wake up, that this is a very special day, and you never know how many times you can come back. So I never take things for granted.
“Taking part in in entrance of very particular individuals all through the 2 weeks. It has been wonderful. Thanks for the help. You are all the time wonderful to me and also you gave me essentially the most particular feeling a tennis participant can ever really feel.”
Zverev takes early lead
Both finalists slugged it out for 12 games in a high-octane first set on a warm and windy afternoon, before Zverev moved up a gear and hit a powerful forehand winner to clinch a gripping tie-break, yelling and crouching down in celebration.
The clean ball-striking continued but Zverev began to show signs of frustration late in the second set, where a much more animated Sinner gained the upper hand in the tie-break and went on to level the contest at one set apiece.
Injury scare for German
Zverev brought up his first break point midway through the third set after more than 2-1/2 hours, but slipped and fell to the ground after being wrong-footed by a Sinner drop shot. With Zverev screaming out in agony, the Centre Court crowd gasped when he rolled onto his back clutching his right knee.
The second seed dusted himself off and carried on but was left seething when Sinner pounced in the next game to break for a 5-3 lead, slamming his racket to the floor, and soon found himself trailing the Italian two sets to one after nearly three hours of battle.
Sinner takes full control
Sinner broke again for a 4-3 advantage in the fourth set as Zverev’s level briefly dipped, and the 24-year-old held firm in an entertaining spell to complete the victory and then collapsed to the threadbare turf in celebration.
A dejected Zverev was left to ponder what could have been after a fourth Grand Slam final defeat.
“I do not actually such as you anymore,” Zverev told Sinner jokingly.
“To be honest, I misplaced to you 9 (sic) occasions in a row,” he added, losing count of his run of defeats against Sinner.
“Congratulations to Jannik, he confirmed as soon as once more why he is one of the best participant on the earth. It was nice to share Centre Courtroom with you on the finals weekend. It is a terrific honour to be right here. Sadly, it did not go my manner.”
