By: Simon Cambers
At Wimbledon, England, World No. 1 Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz with a score of 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday. This significant victory secured Sinner`s first Wimbledon championship and marked his fourth Grand Slam title overall.
This win provided the Italian player with a measure of redemption, following his difficult loss to Alcaraz in the French Open final just the previous month. In that intense match, Sinner had held three match points but ultimately lost in five sets.
Alcaraz was competing to become just the fifth male player in the Open era to win the Wimbledon title for three consecutive years. However, after initially winning the first set, he was surpassed by Sinner`s performance. With this win, Sinner made history as the first Italian man to claim the Wimbledon singles title.
This match was Sinner`s first win against Alcaraz in their last six encounters, narrowing Alcaraz`s lead in their head-to-head record to 8-5. They are now tied at one win each in Grand Slam finals played against each other, having clearly established themselves as the sport`s leading figures.
Let`s explore the elements that make their rivalry particularly noteworthy.
They Bring Out the Best in Each Other
Characteristic of all great sports rivalries, these two athletes appear to consistently elevate each other`s game. Their baseline exchanges can be incredibly fast-paced, sometimes resembling the escalating speed of the ball in the classic video game, Pong.
The quality of shot-making they display is exceptional. Sinner demonstrated this with an impressive between-the-legs half-volley during Sunday`s final, while Alcaraz showed his skill with an extraordinary stretch to hit a sliced backhand passing shot. Three of their four Grand Slam encounters have gone the full distance, and their French Open final from this year is already being discussed as one of the greatest matches ever played.
Both players have stated that competing against the other has improved them and motivates them to train harder, knowing that their opponent is doing the same.
Alcaraz commented on Sunday, “I`m really happy to be able to build a great relationship off the court but also a great rivalry on the court that makes me improve every day.”
They Have Won the Past Seven Majors Between Them
During the peak era of Djokovic, Federer, and Rafael Nadal, often called the `Big Three,` they significantly dominated Grand Slam titles. From the beginning of 2004 until the end of the French Open in a subsequent year (implied context suggests recent past), these three players secured an astounding 65 out of 77 available Grand Slam titles, marking a phenomenal period in tennis history.
Compared to that established dominance, Alcaraz and Sinner are still relatively early in their careers. However, they have remarkably won the last seven major tournaments consecutively between them – Sinner winning four titles and Alcaraz three. While the tennis landscape can change quickly and promising young players might challenge them in the future, currently, assuming both remain healthy, it seems difficult to imagine any other player winning a Grand Slam.
Their Contrasting Styles Make for Dramatic Battles
Unlike the distinct differences in style and personality seen in rivals like John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl, Sinner and Alcaraz genuinely like and respect each other, both on and off the court. Nevertheless, their playing styles are sufficiently different to almost guarantee exciting and dramatic matches whenever they face off.
Both players are outstanding athletes. Alcaraz is known for his flair, characterized by delicate touch shots, powerful groundstrokes, and natural charisma. Sinner, on the other hand, embodies power, composure, and an unwavering focus. When one steps up their level, the other responds. Alcaraz might rush the net, prompting Sinner to attempt a passing shot. If Sinner steps back, Alcaraz might use a drop shot. Neither player gives ground easily; they both possess a strong belief in their ability to recover from difficult situations. Alcaraz`s energetic and often smiling demeanor on court contrasts with the intense focus visible in Sinner`s eyes.
Sinner`s Win is Good for the Rivalry
How does their rivalry compare to historical tennis matchups? The record of Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert, who played an incredible 80 matches including 60 finals, is a benchmark that will likely never be equaled. However, the way Sinner and Alcaraz are currently dominating the sport, showing equal skill on all court surfaces, suggests they are likely to compete for the most significant titles against each other for many years ahead.
A true rivalry requires victories on both sides, and in this regard, Sinner`s win was important. It ended a sequence of five consecutive losses to Alcaraz, who now holds an 8-5 advantage in their head-to-head meetings. Nearly every match they play against each other is a classic encounter. If they come anywhere close to the number of matches played by legendary pairings such as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal (60), Djokovic and Roger Federer (50), or Federer and Nadal (40), tennis fans have a remarkable era of competition to look forward to.
