By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: AELTC.
The defending Wimbledon champion Jannik Sinner fended off French Open champion Alexander Zverev, 6-7(7), 7-6(2), 6-3, 6-4, to win his second straight title on grass.
The contest was closely fought, with the first two sets finishing 6-7 and 7-6, respectively.
It stayed tight at the start of the third set, but Sinner came through to claim it 6-3. At one point, Zverev threw his racket down in frustration.
In a serve-dominated final, Zverev has made 76 per cent of his first deliveries and played incredibly aggressively 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 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.
“Jannik, I don’t really like you any more,” joked Zverev, who will move above the injured Carlos Alcaraz to second in the world rankings on Monday.
“He showed once again why he is the best player in the world.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales, along with Hollywood stars Nicole Kidman and Ben Stiller, watched on as Sinner worked his way through the match against a determined Zverev.
Sinner’s relief was clear as he threw himself to the floor in celebration after securing victory in three hours and 46 minutes – the second longest win of his career.
Sinner – who has now won his past 10 matches against Zverev – is the 10th man to retain Wimbledon men’s trophy since the Open era began in 1968.
It is the fifth Grand Slam title of his career and his first of 2026.
“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.”