Archive of posts tagged Carlos Alcaraz

Umag: Luciano Darderi wins title, joins Jannik Sinner on the list

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AlcarazSinner rivalry

Luciano Darderi enjoy two thrilling weeks in Bastad and Umag. The 23-year-old Italian conquered two titles and became the third player with at least three ATP titles in 2025, joining Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Bublik on the list.

Darderi gained a boost in Bastad and carried it to Umag, lifting his fourth clay-court ATP 250 title with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Carlos Taberner in an hour and 26 minutes. 

Thus, Luciano became the fourth Italian champion in Umag and the first since Jannik Sinner in 2022. With 500 ATP points within two weeks, the 23-year-old moved closer to his career-high ranking position.

The Italian struggled a bit with a left ankle injury. He felt the pain after celebrating the title, with Taberner helping him to reach the bench, where he received help. That aside, it was a flawless performance from Darderi.

The 2nd seed took 18 points more than his rival. Luciano dropped seven points in nine service games, facing no break points and mounting the pressure on the other side. 

Taberner dropped 40% of the points in his games and gave serve away three times from five chances presented to his opponent. The favorite tamed his strokes nicely and landed 20 winners and 17 unforced errors. 

He had the upper hand in service winners and from the baseline, building a massive advantage in the shortest range up to four strokes. Luciano lost two points in five service games in the opening set.

Luciano Darderi, Umag 2025

Luciano Darderi, Umag 2025© Stream screenshot

 

He fired a forehand crosscourt winner in the sixth game, providing a break and moving 4-2 in front. They continued after a short rain delay, and Darderi held at 15 in game nine for 6-3 in 40 minutes.

Carlos suffered another break in the fifth game of the second set, sending a backhand wide and moving closer to the exit door. Darderi held at 30 in the next one and moved 4-2 in front.

The Italian held at love in game eight for 5-3 and made a push on the return in the next one. He seized the second match point with a forced error, falling to the ground and celebrating his second title from as many weeks.

Washington: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina bests Ben Shelton

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Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina will chase his first ATP title in a career in Washngton. The Spaniard bested Ben Shelton 6-2, 7-5 in the semi-final in an hour and 19 minutes, advancing to his fourth ATP final and the third of the season.

Davidovich Fokina left the home star behind in the opening set and grabbed three straight games in the closing stages of the second set for a notable victory. Alejandro will crack the top-20 with these points, regardless of the final outcome.

The Spaniard is 8-0 against left-handers in 2025. He is also the fourth player with five top-10 victories this season, joining Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti on the exclusive list.

Ben could not produce the magic behind the initial shot from the previous matches. He served at 55% and dropped42% of the points in his games. The home player faced six break points and got broken four times. 

Alejandro dropped 14 points in ten service games, suffering one break in the second set and outplaying his rival. They sprayed too many unforced errors. The Spaniard tamed his strokes more efficiently and bested the top-10 star from the baseline. 

They stayed neck and neck in the quickest exchange up to four strokes, and the lower-ranked player had the upper hand in the more advanced ones. Davidovich Fokina made a reliable start.

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina & Ben Shelton, Washington 2025

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina & Ben Shelton, Washington 2025© Stream screenshot

 

He served well in the opener and kept the pressure on the other side. Shelton sprayed a forehand error in the fifth game, losing serve and falling behind. The Spaniard cemented the lead with a forehand down the line winner in the next one.

A left-hander struggled again on serve in game seven and netted a forehand to experience another break and fall 5-2 behind. Alejandro landed an ace in the eighth game, wrapping up the opening set 6-2 in 27 minutes.

Ben played against a break point at 2-2 in the second set and saved it with a service winner. However, he played a loose drop shot two games later, losing serve and sending his rival 4-3 in front.

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Washington 2025

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Washington 2025© Stream screenshot

 

The Spaniard played his only loose service game in the next one, placing a forehand wide and losing serve to bring the home favorite back to the positive side. 

Shelton sprayed a backhand error in the 11th game and got broken when his opponent painted a forehand down the line winner. Davidovich Fokina served for the win at 6-5 and fired a powerful serve for a hold at 15 and his fourth ATP final, the third of the season.

Holger Rune teases Novak Djokovic for a funny reason

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2028 Olympics

Novak Djokovic is a living legend of this sport and his ability to push his own limits is amazing, considering that he has already won everything a top-level tennis player can dream of. The former world No.1 also achieved the last goal of his endless career at the Paris Olympics a year ago, when he shocked fans around the planet by winning the gold medal on his last attempt (although he has repeatedly stated that he also wants to participate in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, when he will be 41 years old).

After that amazing triumph, the Serbian veteran tried to win his 25th Major title but has not succeeded until now. The 38-year-old from Belgrade has reached the semifinals in all three Grand Slam tournaments that have been played this year, proving that he is still superior to most opponents, but the two current leaders of the men's tour – Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz – have no intention of leaving him room again.

Djokovic is on vacation now

After being overwhelmed by Sinner in the semi-final of the Wimbledon Championships a couple of weeks ago, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has allowed himself a few days to relax in Croatia and then will begin preparing for the Cincinnati Masters 1000.

Nole will not play the Canadian Open this year either, preferring to recharge his batteries ahead of the US Open scheduled in New York at the end of the summer. As chance would have it, Novak won his latest Major title in New York two years ago, when he defeated Russian ace Daniil Medvedev in the final. It seems like much more time has passed, given that the hierarchies of men's tennis have changed profoundly in this period of time.

Meanwhile, young Danish star Holger Rune gave a nice interview in which he was asked who is the player who arrives late most often. The world number 9 chose Djokovic.

Reason why Alexander Zverev can't disappoint in Toronto

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Alexander Zverev

In recent days, fans and insiders have wondered if Alexander Zverev and Toni Nadal would start a stable collaboration in the second half of this season. The German ace has been training at Rafael Nadal's Academy in Manacor in the recent period, being intent on changing something after his premature elimination at the Wimbledon Championships. 

However, Uncle Toni has too many commitments and does not want to constantly travel around the world, which is why he gave the champion from Hamburg the chance to practice in his Academy whenever he needs to.

The former world number 2 is not going through a particularly brilliant phase of his career, especially after the defeat against Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final at the beginning of the year. Sascha believed he was ready to finally lift a Grand Slam trophy, but that match against the current world No.1 showed him how far he is still from the top two players in the ATP rankings.

Since then, Alexander has fallen into a very serious crisis and it is no coincidence that he has won only one title so far in the season (in Munich). 

Zverev will play in Toronto

Everyone expects a reaction from Zverev already during the American tournaments, with particular reference to Toronto and Cincinnati before the US Open at the end of the summer.

It's no secret that Sascha will have a huge chance in Canada, considering that most of the top players won't be in Toronto. The prestigious Canadian tournament lost world number 1 Jannik Sinner, world number 2 Carlos Alcaraz, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and young English star Jack Draper.

The German player will have a bye in the first round and will make his debut directly in the second round against Bonzi or Walton.

Carlos Alcaraz has made unusual decision for him: all the details

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Barcelona

The last three and a half months have been particularly intense for Carlos Alcaraz, who has played numerous tournaments and has always reached at least the final. The world number 2 only missed the Mutua Madrid Open due to a small physical problem, while in the other events in which he participated he reached the end lifting the trophy in Monte Carlo, Rome, Roland Garros and Queen's (not forgetting the final in Barcelona).

The 22-year-old Spaniard also reached the final act at the Wimbledon Championships for the third year in a row, but failed to triumph this time as he was defeated in four sets by his top rival Jannik Sinner. There is no doubt that the five-time Grand Slam champion has used a lot of energies this part of the season and needs to recharge his batteries now, which is why he has decided to skip the Canadian Open, which begins in Toronto later this month.

Since the former world number 1 had not played in Canada last year either, he would have had the chance to gain points on Sinner in the ATP rankings and get closer to the first position. The Italian ace will not be present in Ontario either, and both will be back in action in Cincinnati next month.

Alcaraz is more mature

Carlitos reached the final in Ohio in 2023, losing to Novak Djokovic at the end of an epic challenge, while in the last edition he was eliminated by Gael Monfils already in the second round. The former world No.1 will not have to defend as many points even at the US Open, the tournament where he won his first Major title in 2022, as he was eliminated in the second round last year.

In a recent interview with 'La Gazzetta dello Sport', the Spanish star did not hide that one of his goals in the second half of the year is to dethrone Sinner and return to the top of the ATP rankings. However, his choice to skip Toronto certifies a higher maturity than in the past combined with the awareness of having to change something.

Dominic Thiem is surprised by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz

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Carlos Alcaraz

As of the start of the 2024 season, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have become the two new leaders of the men's tour and it is no coincidence that they have shared the last seven Grand Slam titles. The Italian ace triumphed in Melbourne in 2024 and 2025, at the 2024 US Open and at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, while the Spaniard prevailed at Roland Garros in 2024 and 2025 and at Wimbledon in 2024.

Jannik and Carlos are able to express a level that is clearly superior to that of all the other players and – at the moment – it is not clear who can stop their rise. The top two players of the ATP rankings have faced each other in the final in both Paris and London this year, and fans are already dreaming of a new chapter in their rivalry taking place in New York at the end of the summer.

Their matches are simply epic and the recent Roland Garros final is destined to be remembered as one of the best of the modern era, as well as being the longest in the history of the French Slam. The star from Murcia prevailed in the fifth set after canceling three match points in a row, completing one of the most impressive comebacks in recent tennis history.

Thiem is speechless

During a long interview, former Austrian ace Dominic Thiem – who had to leave tennis due to a serious wrist injury – discussed this electrifying rivalry: "Their matches are always very balanced and spectacular, they have raised the level of the sport and are taking it to another dimension. Jannik and Carlos play at an impressive speed and move very well. No one expected that two such champions would emerge immediately after the Big 3."

The 2020 US Open winner also added: "Both are much superior to their opponents today, but it can happen that they lose too. I don't know if they're going to win every Grand Slam tournament in the next few years, but there's no doubt that they're one step ahead of everyone today."

Jannik Sinner joins Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal in rare Novak Djokovic Major feat

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accomplished player

Jannik Sinner has dominated men's tennis since the second part of 2023. The Italian ended the season ranked 4th and with his first victory over Novak Djokovic at the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup Finals.

Jannik shifted his game to an even higher level since 2024, embracing a 99-9 run and adding four Major titles to his tally. Three trophies came over the 24-time Major champion Novak Djokovic, and the latest secured Sinner's place in the record books.

The Italian defeated the Serb at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon, becoming the third player with victories over Djokovic on all three surfaces at Majors, joining Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer on the exclusive list.

Rafael Nadal started with early wins over Novak in Paris and London. The Spaniard completed the feat in the 2010 US Open final, securing a hard-court victory over the Serb and accomplishing a Career Grand Slam at 24.

Roger Federer bested Djokovic in the opening stages of their rivalry on hard courts. The Swiss delivered a memorable win over an in-form rival in the 2011 Roland Garros semi-final and completed the circle a year later in the Wimbledon semi-final. 

Thirteen years later, Jannik Sinner joined the ultimate legends following his dominant streak against the Serb. Last year, the Italian bested the Serb 6-1, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3 in the Australian Open semi-final. 

Novak Djokovic & Jannik Sinner, Australian Open 2024

Novak Djokovic & Jannik Sinner, Australian Open 2024© Stream screenshot

 

Jannik faced no break points and left Novak behind in three sets to emerge at the top. This June, they met in the Roland Garros semi-final. It was a tight battle, and the younger player prevailed 6-4, 7-5, 7-6. 

The young gun saved five of six break points and provided three breaks over the veteran to emerge at the top. The veteran missed a chance to extend the battle, giving his best but ending his run in the last four. 

A month later, they battled in the Wimbledon semi-final. This time, the Italian overpowered the Serb 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 for a place in his first Wimbledon final. Thus, Sinner completed his wins over the most accomplished player of all time on all three surfaces at Majors within a year and a half!

Jannik Sinner & Novak Djokovic, Roland Garros 2025

Jannik Sinner & Novak Djokovic, Roland Garros 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Jannik has been nearly untouchable at Majors since the start of 2024, winning four titles from seven tournaments. The Italian has been the finalist at the previous four Majors, embracing a 27-1 score and writing history books. 

Sinner's consistent dominance over Djokovic on the most notable scene signals a shift in power at the top of men's tennis. Alongside Carlos Alcaraz, the Italian has conquered the previous seven Majors, establishing the new dynasty and entering the record books.

With the US Open approaching, Jannik will try to extend his brilliance at hard-court Majors.

The level of tennis has risen too high for Novak Djokovic: all the details inside

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Belgrade

Novak Djokovic's goal of winning his 25th Major title by the end of the 2025 season will not be easy to achieve, as only the US Open scheduled in New York at the end of the summer is missing. The Serbian legend has indeed raised his level in Grand Slam tournaments, where he has defeated excellent players and reached the semifinals on all occasions (in Melbourne, Paris and London), but he has not given the feeling that he can make tennis history once again.

The collective feeling is that the two current leaders of the men's tour – Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz – are superior to Nole at this stage of his career and it will be very tough for the former world No. 1 to beat them in a best-of-five-set match at 38 years old.

The veteran from Belgrade wants to become the oldest ever to win a Grand Slam title by uncorking the record from Ken Rosewall, but time is running out and Novak will also have to hope for some luck in New York in about a month.

Djokovic expected to return to action in Cincinnati

Djokovic is enjoying some vacation in Croatia right now and has been spotted alongside former Real Madrid footballer Luka Modric, while a few days ago he announced that he will not participate in the Toronto Masters 1000 which starts later this month.

In a recent interview with 'Gol', his former coach Goran Ivanisevic – who has just finished working with Stefanos Tsitsipas – gave his honest verdict on Nole's chances of shocking the world for the umpteenth time: “When you’re not 100 percent with Sinner… and even when you are, your chances aren’t great,” said the 2001 Wimbledon winner.

I thought Novak could do it, but unfortunately he wasn’t completely ready. Djokovic is the greatest tennis player of all time, but what these two are doing is another level of tennis.”

Novak's next tournament is expected to be the Cincinnati Masters 1000, where he triumphed in 2023 for the last time.

Sinner, Alcaraz, Djokovic, Draper Out of Toronto

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World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz will be Toronto top seed.arm injury

By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Sunday, July 20, 2025
Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty

A quartet of talented contenders have stepped out of Toronto.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz, Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic and Indian Wells champion Jack Draper have all withdrawn from this month's National Bank Open in Toronto.

Tennis Express

Sinner dethroned two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz to win his maiden Wimbledon crown earlier this month.

News of Alcaraz's withdrawal, reported by the Spanish outlet Marca, came after the tournament announced that Sinner, Djokovic and Draper had pulled out.

Draper, who picked up an arm injury after Wimbledon, will also miss Cincinnati. 

There has been talk that the ATP's committment to making Masters 1000 two-week events has dampened the enthusiasm of some of the tour's top players to play both. What formerly required a two-week commitment now requires over three weeks. 

Home players should enjoy strong support in Toronto, however. 

Three Canadians are ranked inside the ATP's Top 40 and earned direct entry into the main draw.

Montreal’s Félix Auger-Aliassime, currently representing Canada in Hopman Cup, will be making his eighth appearance at the NBO. The 28th-ranked Auger-Aliassime reached the 2022 quarterfinals.

No. 30 Denis Shapovalov, who won his second title of 2025 in Los Cabos last night, will also make his eighth appearance at the event. Shapovalov famously upset Rafael Nadal en route to the 2017 semifinals.

Big serving Montreal native Gabriel Diallo will play the Canadian Masters for the fourth time.

“Canada, I can't wait to be back at home and playing in front of all of you at this year's National Bank Open presented by Rogers,” said Félix Auger-Aliassime. "The atmosphere and fans in Toronto are always amazing, and it's not something I take for granted.

"I'm going to give it everything I've got, and I hope that we can go on a deep run together!”

Rune Working with Andre Agassi Ahead of Citi Open

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The pair will reportedly spend three days together, according to a report by Stephanie Myles. Andre Agassi

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday July 19, 2025

Holger Rune and Andre Agassi are spending some quality time together at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C.

Tennis Express

According to Stephanie Myles of Open Court, who shot the below video, the pair are to spend three days together prepping for the ATP 500 event.

According to Myles, the pair will spend three days together in the hopes that Rune can gain some insight from the eight-time Slam champion

The Dane has had both good and bad moments this season. Famously, he defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the Barcelona final. But he's only 22-14 on the season with the one title. He reached the round of 16 at the Australian Open and Roland-Garros, but lost in the first round at Wimbledon.

Agassi has been on the scene a bit in recent months, commentating for TNT at Roland-Garros for four days, and appearing on the Andy Roddick First Serve Podcast for an in-depth interview.

ESPN Wimbledon Audience Spikes for QF and SF

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ESPN reports its Wimbleson quarterfinals and semifinals most viewed in six years.Amanda Anisimova

By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Photo credit: Jon Buckle/ROLEX

Wimbledon quarterfinal and semifinal matches were ratings winners for ESPN.

ESPN reports the most viewed Wimbledon quarterfinals and semifinals of the past six years, the most viewed Ladies’ semifinals in a decade and the most viewed Wimbledon Day One ever on ESPN platforms.

Tennis Express

ESPN stats from Wimbledon coverage:

The Finals:

Sunday’s Gentlemen’s Championship between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz averaged 2.9 million viewers, +31% vs. 2024 The viewership peaked at the end of the match with 4.0 million viewers.

The match only (excluding trophy ceremony and post-match analysis) averaged 3.2 million viewers, +26% vs. last year’s match.

The Finals, Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s, coverage averaged 2.2 million viewers, +19% vs. 2024

The Saturday’s Ladies’ Final averaged 1.3 million viewers

The match only (excluding trophy ceremony and post-match analysis) averaged 1.9 million viewers, up +18% vs. last year’s match. This was a lopsided match, with Iga Świątek delivering a dominant performance over Amanda Anisimova.

Semifinals:

The audience across both the Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Semifinals was the most viewed of the past six years Semifinals coverage averaged 1.1 million viewers, +33% vs. 2024.

The July 10 Ladies’ Semifinals

This was the most viewed Ladies’ Semifinals in a decade (the 2015 edition featured Serena Williams), with No. 13 Anisimova defeating No. 1 Sabalenka and No. 8 Swiatek’s victory over Belinda Bencic.

Viewership averaged 897,000, +31% vs. 2024.

The July 11 Gentlemen’s Semifinals This was the most-viewed Gentlemen’s Semifinals in six years, and featured No. 2 Alcaraz vs. No. 5 Fritz and No. 1 Sinner vs. No. 6 Djokovic (the 2019 edition featured Nadal and Federer). Viewership averaged 1.3 million, an increase of 34% vs. 2024.

Quarterfinals: The July 8 and 9 Quarterfinals on ESPN and ESPN2 were the most viewed in six years Viewership averaged 488,000 viewers, +25% vs. 2024.

Alcaraz Signs on as YoPro Global Ambassador

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"I’m excited to work with YoPRO high protein globally to inspire others to build their strength day after day and embrace their own journey," Carlos Alcaraz said.. Alcaraz

By Tennis Now | @TennisNow | Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty

Carlos Alcaraz has a new role.

The five-time Grand Slam champion has signed on as YoPRO global ambassador.

Tennis Express

YoPRO high protein products said in a statement "Carlos embodies the values that define the brand – passion, authenticity and a relentless drive to keep progressing, making him the ideal partner to lead the brand into its next chapter."

Financial terms were not disclosed. For the first year of the multi-year partnership which spans across global markets (the brand is present in 25 markets under the names YoPRO, GetPRO, HiPRO, Oikos, OikosPRO and SerPRO+), Carlos will step into the role of Chief Progress Officer, championing the belief that progress is universal: whether you’re just lacing up your sneakers for the first time or competing at the highest level, everyone is continuously looking to improve.

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 

 
 

A post shared by YoPRO (@yopro.es)

YoPRO – a leading brand in the protein dairy category globally – offers a high-protein range of products developed by sport nutrition experts.

“As an athlete, I know how important it is to keep growing, no matter what you’ve already achieved," Alcaraz said. "Progress is personal – it’s about learning, improving, and pushing yourself forward, whether that means chasing a championship or just getting a little better each day. I’m excited to work with YoPRO high protein globally to inspire others to build their strength day after day and embrace their own journey. Because everyone, including myself, is a work in progress.”

Zverev Training with Toni Nadal at Rafa Nadal Academy

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Alexander Zverev said he's considering new coaching options, could Toni Nadal fill the bill?Arthur Rinderknech

By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Monday, July 14, 2025
Photo credit: Ibrahim Ezzat-Nur Photo-Getty

Alexander Zverev handed Rafa Nadal the last loss of his Roland Garros career.

Now, Zverev is training with Toni Nadal at the Rafa Nadal Academy in an effort to rebuild his confidence and revitalize his game.

Tennis Express

The 2021 Olympic gold-medal champion has been working under the watchful eye of Toni Nadal at the Rafa Nadal Academy in preparation for the North American summer hard-court season.


Two weeks ago, Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech completed a five-set win over Zverev in the Wimbledon first round. Rinderknech won 44 of 55 trips to net and denied all nine break points he faced.

Afterward, Zverev said the prestigious Centre Court lawn felt like a deep hole he couldn't escape.

Six months after his surge to the Australian Open final, Zverev suffered his second career Wimbledon first-round exit and opened up on the malaise he's feeling.

"I would say more mental, probably. It's funny, I feel very alone out there at times," Zverev said. "I struggle mentally. I've been saying that since after the Australian Open. Yeah, just don't know. I'm trying to find ways, trying to find ways to kind of get out of this hole. I keep kind of finding myself back in it in a way.

"Yeah, I don't know. I feel, generally speaking, quite alone in life at the moment, which is a feeling that is not very nice."

In his parting presser at SW19, Zverev said it's possible he could hire a new coach and conceded he's out of answers on court.

"Possibly," Zverev said when asked about a new coach. "As I said, yeah, it's a different feeling right now for me. I can't speak for the moment. But I think I'll have answers by Canada." 

While Zverev has worked with high-profile coaches in the past—including David Ferrer, who helped guide him to the US Open final and former No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, who has been exceptionally successful coaching Carlos Alcaraz—he continues to return to the familiarity of his father, Alexander Zverev, Sr., as coach.

Toni Nadal, known as a savvy and tough taskmaster, spent some time working with Felix Auger-Aliassime after stepping down as Rafa Nadal's official coach.

Could Toni Nadal's training block with Zverev lead to a role as coach or co-coach of the German? Time will tell.

Sinner Wins Maiden Wimbledon Title

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Jannik Sinner exacted his revenge on Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday, defeating the two-time defending champion 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the Wimbledon final to capture his fourth major and become the first Italian man to win the singles crown. The world No. 1, who fell to Alcaraz in a five-hour, 29-minute Roland Garros epic last …

Alcaraz on Rivalry: We Don't See A Level Like This

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"It's going to be better and better," Carlos Alcaraz said of his rivalry with Jannik Sinner.Alcaraz

By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Sunday, July 13, 2025
Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty

The world's top two players share a major mission—and their rivalry will produce more massive moments, Carlos Alcaraz said.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner dethroned two-time champion Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to make history as the first Italian to capture a Wimbledon singles crown today.

Tennis Express

Afterward, Alcaraz praised Sinner for an "unbelievable" performance.

The second-ranked Spaniard, who suffered his first major final loss after going 5-0 in his five prior Slam finals, says this Wimbledon showdown is only the beginning.

Alcaraz said the rivalry between the pair is unprecedented on the ATP Tour, they've combined to collect seven straight Grand Slam championships, and will only get stronger as they square off in more finals.

"First of all, I [am] just really, really happy about having this rivalry with him. I think it's great for us, and it is great for the tennis," Alcaraz said after seeing his 20-match Wimbledon winning streak snapped. "Every time we playing against each other, I think our level is really high.

"I think we don't watch a level like this, if I'm honest with you. I don't see any player playing against each other, you know, having the level that we are playing when we face each other.

"I think, as I said many, many times, this rivalry, it's coming better and better. We're building really great rivalry because we're playing final of a Grand Slam, final of Master mills, the best tournament in the world. It's going to be better and better."

The pair produced transcendent tennis with Alcaraz saving three championship points to prevail in record-setting five hour, 29-minute Roland Garros final last month.

The 22-year-old Spaniard said Sinner's ultra-high level of play did not surprise him.

Alcaraz said ultimately the key to the match was Sinner's superior second serve—and the fact the reigning Australian Open and US Open champion repeatedly attacked Alcaraz's second serve sometimes ripping backhand strikes down the line.

Overall, Sinner served a higher percentage—62 percent to 53 percent), won 49 percent of second-serve points played on the Spaniard's second serve and flipped the script on the superior net player. Sinner won 30 of 40 trips to net, compared to 17 of 23 net points for Alcaraz.

"The way he played today, it was really, really high. I didn't surprise at all," Alcaraz said. "I knew he was going to play like this. So it was about some details.

Yeah, I mean, overall he didn't surprise me at all because I know he's a big champion…

"I think the big key was about the second serve. He was returning really well there the second serve that I was hitting. Thanks to that, he was in the position to attack in the second ball every time. So it was really difficult when you are feeling that you just defending all the time and running from side to side all the time."

Reflecting on his first major final loss, Alcaraz said he's "grateful" to Sinner because the No. 1 will force the No. 2 to improve his game.

"Just really grateful for that because it gives me the opportunity to just give my 100% every practice, every day," said Alcaraz, who leads the rivalry 8-5 after Sinner snapped a five-match losing streak vs. the Spaniard. "Just to be better, thanks to that. The level that I have to maintain and I have to raise if I want to beat Jannik is really high.

"So I just really grateful for that."

Sinner's Wimbledon Triumph, By the Numbers

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The Italian made history for his country on Sunday at the All England Club. Agassi

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday July 13, 2025

Jannik Sinner made history on Sunday at Wimbledon, defeating Carlos Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to become the first Italian to ever win a Wimbledon singles title.

Tennis Express

Before the grass clippings settle let’s have a look at what else Sinner achieved with his run to the title.

4 – Sinner wins his fourth major title, and is by far the most successful Italian player in that regard. Sinner ties Jim Courier, Ken Rosewell and Guillermo Vilas on the all-time men’s singles Grand Slam singles titles list.

20 – Sinner’s 20th overall title puts him in a tie with Daniil Medvedev for fifth on the active ATP title list.

100 – Sinner hit the century mark in Grand Slam matches, improving to 81-19 at the majors. Only one Italian player – Nico Pietrangeli, 94 – has won more.


6 – Sinner became the sixth player to reach four consecutive major finals in the Open Era, joining Agassi, Djokovic, Federer, Laver and Nadal.

By reaching all four major finals in his 23rd major appearance, Sinner has achieved that feat quicker than all but two players – Courier, 19, and Agassi, 22.

4 for 7 – Sinner has won four of the last seven major singles titles on offer, with Alcaraz taking the other three.

3 – With his title, Sinner becomes one of five players aged 23 or under in the Open Era to simultaneously hold three Men’s Singles titles at Grand Slams, along with Connors, Sampras, Federer Nadal.

How Sinner Became Unstoppable on Grass

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The unflappable Italian went from unsure to commanding on the sports slickest surface. By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday July 13, 2025

What made the difference for Jannik Sinner on Sunday at Wimbledon? How was he able to overcome his devastating loss to Carlos Alcaraz at Roland-Garros last month and snap a personal five-match losing streak to the Spaniard?

Tennis Express

So many reasons. But anybody who watched Sinner control the run of play against the two-time champion knows that his movement had a lot to do with it. Now comfortable with sliding on both sides, and able to use his speed to complement his breathtaking power game, Sinner has gone from a player who may never win Wimbledon, because Alcaraz is in his way, to a player that has what it takes to win multiple titles at the All England Club.

“I think that once he learned to feel more comfortable moving on grass, we believed that he had a game that was really good for grass,” his coach Darren Cahill said in a press conference after Sunday’s 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 takedown of Alcaraz on Centre Court. “His game has been improving all the time, and his results have shown that.”

Sinner agrees. And he adds that his naturally flat groundstrokes make him particularly difficult to contend with on grass.

“This year for sure I felt great on court,” he said. “I think we saw this also today how I started to move better every match I played,” he said. The beginning of my career I knew that I could potentially play well here because of my groundstrokes. They're quite flat, and the ball goes through.”

Another reason for Sinner’s rapid rise as a grass-court guru? His ability to watch and learn.

Cahill says that Sinner has been watching and learning from his rival as their rivalry has evolved. He may not surpass him in some areas, but he’s wise enough to recognize that he could implement some of the things that Alcaraz does well in his own game.

“I would say that Jannik watches more Carlos matches than he does anybody else because he's fascinated with the improvements that are coming in his game, and he's pushing us as coaches to make sure that he's improving also as a tennis player as well,” Cahill said. “So the rivalry is real. It's there. And hopefully it's going to be there and real for the next 10 or 12 years.”

Finally, we must factor in Sinner’s unflappability. How was he able to stay so on-mission after losing in the most heartbreaking fashion to Alcaraz in Paris. Triple match point in the fourth set? It would be understandable if he lost belief in himself temporarily after that harrowing experience.

“This I think is the part where I'm the proudest of because it really has not been easy,” Sinner admitted. “I always tried to be honest with myself, and I had the self-talk too – you know, what if, what if? I always tried to accept it, in a way.”

Sinner did more than accept it. He embraced it, and realized that he was so close rather than so far, from where he wanted to be. Then he did the work and pulled off a magical run on the grass.

Rivalry on…

Djokovic: Reality Hit Me—But Not My Last Wimbledon

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"I'm not planning to finish my Wimbledon career today," Novak Djokovic said after his semifinal loss. Australian Open

By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Friday, July 11, 2025
Photo credits: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty

A Jannik Sinner stinging strike dislodged a bit of baseline and snapped Novak Djokovic's head to attention.

The Grand Slam king's quest for a record-setting 25th major championship came to a brutal and painful end on Centre Court today.

Tennis Express

World No. 1 shredded Djokovic 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in today's Wimbledon semifinal striking with the same powerful precision the former No. 1 Djokovic showed for so many years capturing seven Wimbledon championships.

Hobbled from a nasty fall he took in the final game against Flavio Cobolli in the quarterfinals, Djokovic struggled to move laterally and tried to serve-and-volley to shorten points.

Though Djokovic drilled 12 aces against no double faults, he won just 5 of 30 second-serve points and dropped serve five times as Sinner scalded returns.

Afterward, a disconsolate Djokovic conceded "reality hits me" as his body broke down against the top seed.

However, a defiant Djokovic said this was not his last dance at Wimbledon. 

"I would be sad [if it was my last match], but hopefully it's not my last match on the Centre Court," Djokovic told the media afterward. "I'm not planning to finish my Wimbledon career today. So I'm planning to come back definitely at least one more time, play on the Centre Court for sure."

It's the second straight Slam where Sinner shattered Djokovic's major dream.

At Roland Garros last month, the reigning Australian Open and US Open champion conquered Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(3) handing the owner of 100 career titles his first Slam semifinal straight sets loss in 15 years.

Today, Sinner repeated the feet as Djokovic was clearly compromised physically though he declined to discuss his injury issues.

The 38-year-old Serbian superstar said a major challenge is the wear and tear his body absorbs reaching the latter stages of Slams.

So by the time Djokovic gets to Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz, he feels like a race car running on a half-empty gas tank.

"It's just age, the wear and tear of the body. As much as I'm taking care of it, the reality hits me right now, last year and a half, like never before, to be honest," a candid Djokovic said. "It's tough for me to accept that because I feel like when I'm fresh, when I'm fit, I can still play really good tennis. I've proved that this year."

The best-of-five set Slam format has proved problematic for Djokovic, one of the greatest best-of-five-set players in Open Era history, when facing two explosive champions 15 years younger.

"I guess playing best-of-five, particularly this year, has been a real struggle for me physically," Djokovic said. "The longer the tournament goes, yeah, the worse the condition gets. I reach the final stages, I reach the semis of every slam this year, but I have to play Sinner or Alcaraz.

"These guys are fit, young, sharp. I feel like I'm going into the match with tank half empty."

Asked to assess Sunday's final (11 a.m. Eastern time, 4 p.m. London time), Djokovic, who lost to Alcaraz in the last two Wimbledon finals, gives the second-seeded Spaniard a slight edge over Sinner.

"I think I will give a slight edge to Carlos as a favorite because of the two titles he's won here and the way he's playing and the confidence he has right now," Djokovic said. "But it's just a slight advantage 'cause Jannik is hitting the ball extremely well. I think it's going to be, again, a very close matchup like we had in Paris, yeah."

Wimbledon 2025 Day Twelve Recap

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Wimbledon’s final weekend is set, and it’s the showdown everyone hoped for. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will meet in the 2025 men’s final after both came through their semi-finals on Day Twelve, though in very different ways. Sinner produced a near-flawless performance to dispatch a hampered Novak Djokovic in straight sets, reaching his first …

Fritz: Comparing Unbelievable Sinner to Unpredictable Alcaraz

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US Open finalist Taylor Fritz on differences between the world's top two reigning Grand Slam champions.Australian Open

By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Friday, July 11, 2025
Photo credits: Jon Buckle/ROLEX

Confronting reigning Grand Slam champions Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in a major is a devastating degree of difficulty.

US Open finalist Taylor Fritz has faced the the world's top two players in Grand Slams and offered unique insight into the similarities and differences of the two superstars.

Tennis Express

Together, reigning US Open and Australian Open champion Sinner and Roland Garros and Wimbledon winner Alcaraz have combined to capture the last six straight Grand Slam championships.

World No. 1 Sinner will square off against two-time Wimbledon winner Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final on Sunday at 4 p.m.

After bowing to Alcaraz in a fierce four-setter in today's semifinals, Fritz, who fell to Sinner in the US Open final last September, was asked to compare the challenges each man represents.

The fifth-seeded Fritz said Sinner is an "unbelievable" ball striker, while Alcaraz is the most "unpredictable" player in the sport. 

"I'd say I felt pretty comfortable from the ground with Jannik when we played in Turin. I think Jannik typically has a bigger serve, so it's tougher to get in on his return games," Fritz said after losing to Alcaraz 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(6) in today's first semifinal. "For me, from the ground I think I had more success rallying and playing with Jannik because he plays a bit flatter, and it's a little bit more predictable. He's unbelievable at what he does playing from the baseline.

"I think Carlos is a little more unpredictable with the slicing and the coming to net and the dropshots. Carlos has a lot of different ways to play.

"I also think Carlos, one thing he does, when he whips his forehand cross, there's a lot of movement away, which is difficult. Jannik is more through the court, which for some people… Just depends who you're playing."

Rocking the red clay with fearless drives, Alcaraz fought off three championship points, battled back from a two-set deficit for the first time in his life and out-dueled Sinner 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(2) to successfully defend his Roland Garros title in a dazzling and epic final last month.

The longest French Open final in history was a five hour, 29-minute thrill ride that will go down as a match for the ages.

Prior to that final, Hall of Famer Andre Agassi summed up the Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry as "the best pure ball striker versus the flying saucer."

Today, Fritz said both champions generate massive "raw power" and suggested he'd probably prefer playing the world No. 1—primarily because Alcaraz's speed and versatility is so unsettling.

"For me personally, I'd rather probably deal with the flat one than the ball that's working away from me," Fritz said. "They both generate a lot of just, like, raw power. But I think for me it's a little more uncomfortable to play Carlos just because of the unpredictability of what he's going to do.

"I think I play a lot off of anticipation. You never know what Carlos might just hit like a short kicker and serve and volley on like a 15-30 or something like that, which I feel like if I'm playing Jannik, that's something that's probably not going to happen."

The greatest similarity between the world's top two?

The 27-year-old Fritz said it's a major educational experience to face either champion in a Grand Slam match.

"Every time I play these guys, I learn a lot about what I need to do to improve and get better," Fritz said. "Moving ahead, I just want to keep working on the things that are going to get me better, that are going to help me compete with these guys because at the end of the day, my ultimate goal is to win a slam. I think I'm going to have to at some point beat these guys to do it. It's obviously a tough ask.

"Like I said, if I keep putting myself in these situations and playing them, I learn more about my game and what I need to do differently and what I need to do better to get to that level."

Alcaraz vs Sinner, Wimbledon Final, By the Numbers

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Get primed for a blockbuster Wimbledon men's final, by the numbers. Carlos Alcaraz

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday July 11, 2025

The 138th Open era staging of Wimbledon has produced a blockbuster final on the men’s side. It’s all down to top-seeded Jannik Sinner and second-seeded Carlos Alcaraz, the tournament’s top two seeds, on Sunday.

Tennis Express

As the pair prepare to contest their second Grand Slam final, and first at Wimbledon, we take a deep dive for a number crunch.

8-4 – Alcaraz holds the 8-4 lifetime edge against Sinner, and he has now won five in a row against Sinner, including a victory over the Italian at last month’s Roland-Garros final, where he saved three championship points and rallied from two sets down to hand Sinner his first defeat in a major final.

5-0 – Alcaraz is undefeated in major finals thus far in his career. Only Monica Seles (6) and Roger Federer (7) have won more major finals without suffering a first loss in the Open Era.

7 – Either Alcaraz or Sinner have won each of the last seven major singles titles, dating back to the 2024 Australian Open.

5 – Number of players that have won Wimbledon men’s singles titles since 2003. Sinner bids to join, Federer (8), Djokovic (7), Nadal (2), Murray (2), Alcaraz (2) on the list as No.6.

20 – Alcaraz rides a 20-match Wimbledon winning streak into the final, and he's on a 24-match winning streak overall. 

3-1 – Sinner, who is bidding to become the first Italian to win a Wimbledon singles title, has won three of his previous four Grand Slam finals.

2008 – Alcaraz and Sinner are the first pair of men to contest finals in Paris and Wimbledon in the same year since Federer and Nadal in 2008. They are the second duo to achieve the feat in the Open Era.

93-9 – Sinner has won all but nine of his matches since the start of 2024, but Alcaraz has defeated him five times in that span.

1 – Sinner has taken the pair’s only grass court meeting at Wimbledon. He defeated Alcaraz in four sets in the round or 16 at the Championships.

3 – Alcaraz is bidding to become the fifth player in Open Era history to successfully complete a three-peat at Wimbledon, joining Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

11 – Sinner has reached at least the final at all four majors, and he is the 11th man to achieve the feat in the Open Era. Alcaraz has yet to join the least.

6 – Alcaraz is bidding to win his sixth major title. If he is successful he will go down as the second youngest player to win six majors, older only than Bjorn Borg.

Wimbledon | Alcaraz gets the better of Fritz to reach final

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As a starter before the main course, Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz proved an excellent taster for the second semi-final between Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic which followed on Friday afternoon, on a sun-drenched Centre Court.

The post Wimbledon | Alcaraz gets the better of Fritz to reach final appeared first on Tennis Threads Magazine.

Wimbledon | Fritz scrapes into S/F to face an imprerious Alcaraz

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The last time an American won Wimbledon was 25 years ago courtesy of Pete Sampras and there is an outside chance that the trophy might go back to the US this year after the first step was taken by Fritz Taylor who defeated Karen Khachanov to reach the semi-finals for the first time. His American […]

The post Wimbledon | Fritz scrapes into S/F to face an imprerious Alcaraz appeared first on Tennis Threads Magazine.

Djokovic's Last Wimbledon Dance?

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The Grand Slam king talks up his chances ahead of his Alexandre Muller

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday June 28, 2025

He’s 38. He’s done everything there is to do in the sport. Well, almost everything…

Tennis Express

Novak Djokovic doesn’t stand atop the all-time Wimbledon men’s singles titles list, and he isn’t the oldest man to ever win a major singles title. If he can somehow find a way to be the last man standing at the end of this Wimbledon fortnight, he could add a few select chapters to his voluminous legacy.

At Wimbledon, most agree that it is Djokovic’s best chance. The Serbian legend himself said so on Saturday during his pre-tournament media conference. Maybe it’s even his last chance?

“I would probably agree that Wimbledon could be the best chance [for a 25th Grand Slam title] because of the results I have had, because of how I feel, how I play in Wimbledon, just getting that extra push mentally and motivation to perform the best tennis at the highest level,” he said.

Djokovic, who enters these Championships with a 97-12 record on his hallowed Wimbledon grass, hopes it isn’t his last dance at Wimbledon, but he admits it is a possibility.

“Whether it could be my last dance, I'm not sure,” he said. “My wish is to play for several more years. I would love to be healthy physically and also mentally motivated to keep on playing at the highest level. That's the goal, but you never know at this stage.”

Djokovic has been defeated in the final by Carlos Alcaraz in successive years, in five sets in 2023 and in straight sets last year.

He hopes that his form at the majors means he’ll be able to find his way back to another final, and maybe even win it.

Grand Slams stay quite consistent, quarters or semi-finals except for the US Open. That's a good sign. These tournaments give me the biggest drive still. Australia and at Roland-Garros showed me that I can still play on a very high level at the later stages.”

Djokovic will face France’s Alexandre Muller in the first round at Wimbledon.

Raducanu on Relationship with Alcaraz

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"“We go back a long way," Emma Raducanu said of US Open mixed doubles partner Carlos Alcaraz.2021 US Open title

By Tennis Now | @TennisNow | Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Photo credit: Nathan Stirk/Getty for LTA

Before they were Grand Slam champions, Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu were friends.

The 2022 US Open champion Alcaraz will partner 2021 US Open title holder Raducanu in a star-studded US Open Mixed Doubles event in August.

Tennis Express

That partnership—and Raducanu's appearance to watch Alcaraz play Queen's Club last week—is prompting some media and fans to speculate its destiny the two young superstars will develop a romantic relationship.

Asked about their friendship, Raducanu told BBC "we go back a long way."

“We go back a long way and I think that we both started getting to know each other a lot in 2021,” Raducanu told BBC Sport. "We were like speaking and friends before anyone won anything.”

The pair will play for a $1 Million champion's check in the newly revamped US Open Mixed Doubles event, which features the deepest draw in Flushing Meadows Mixed Doubles history.

Asked if it's destiny the pair will be together, a smiling Raducanu laughed at the question.

"I'm glad the internet is having fun and we're providing some entertainment for everyone," Raducanu replied.