Jannik Sinner’s triumph in the Wimbledon final was more than just another tick in the Grand Slam box.
The Italian’s victory avenged a brutal loss to Alcaraz in the French Open final, a match in which he spurned three match points in a row before going on to lose.
The world number one had been destined for greatness ever since his ATP Next Gen Finals victory in 2019, and his potential has blossomed into generational talent on the court.
Sinner has now won three of the last four Grand Slams, and looks unlikely to slow down anytime soon.
One figure who has been influential in his success is Darren Cahill. Sinner and Cahill started working together in July 2022.
The Australian coach, who has also worked with Andre Agassi, discussed the rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz after the Wimbledon final on Sunday evening.
Jannik Sinner is ‘fascinated’ with the improvements in Carlos Alcaraz’s game
Speaking to the media after Sinner’s victory on Sunday evening, Cahill, who has also worked with Andy Murray and Simona Halep during his career, was honest about the influence Carlos Alcaraz has on Jannik Sinner’s mindset and performance.
Cahill, who is set to leave Sinner’s coaching team at the end of 2025, said: “Jannik watches more Carlos matches than he does anybody else.
“Because he’s fascinated with the improvements coming in his game and he’s pushing us as coaches to make sure that he’s improving also as a tennis player.
“The rivalry is real. It’s there. Hopefully it’s going to be there and real for the next 10 or 12 years.”
Before Sunday’s final, the rivalry – described as ‘special’ by Jim Courier – was looking a little one-sided, with Alcaraz having won their previous five encounters.
However, Sinner’s victory righted the ship somewhat, proving to tennis fans that he is more than capable of competing with his Spanish rival on a surface Alcaraz has been so dominant on for the past two years.
Jannik Sinner makes history for Italy
Sinner did not merely set records on a global stage, he smashed records for his home country too.
By winning his first Wimbledon title, Sinner became the first Italian in tennis history to claim men’s or women’s Singles titles on multiple surfaces at Grand Slam events.
Sinner also became the first Italian to lift the Wimbledon trophy, going one step further than compatriot, Jasmine Paolini, who lost in the women’s singles final in 2024.
The world number one will look to add a fourth Grand Slam in five when he competes at the US Open in August.
