WIMBLEDON, England — Jannik Sinner is starting to make a habit of responding to adversity in Paris with a Wimbledon title.
Leader Sinner defeated Alexander Zverev 6-7 (7), 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-4 at the All England Club on Sunday to claim his second straight title despite his German opponent appearing to have a knee problem after slipping to the grass at a crucial point in the third set.
Sinner’s fifth Grand Slam title came in his first tournament since losing in the second round at Roland Garros, where he was physically exhausted in the heat wave in Paris.
When Sinner snatched a forehand winner at the line on his first match point, he fell flat on his back to the grass in a rare and dramatic celebration for the normally reserved Italian.
“It was another tough match after Paris, so this match means a lot,” Sinner said. “I’m proud of myself and my team for continuing to push me in the right direction.”
In late May, in the stifling heat and humidity of Paris, Sinner was one game away from a straight-set victory over No. 56 Juan Manuel Cerundro, ending his winning streak at 30.
Sinner underwent medical tests in Milan after the loss in Paris and did not compete again until he arrived at Wimbledon, where he twice had to come back from a set down in a five-set marathon against Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round.
Sinner then dominated Novak Djokovic in the semifinals and did not drop a set until the final.
“This shows the maturity of the players we’re working with,” said Darren Cahill, one of Sinner’s coaches. “I can’t believe he can kick you in the gut like that.
“What we worked with him and what we’re most proud of is seeing him bounce back from those situations,” Cahill added. “It won’t keep him down for too long.”
This was Sinner’s fifth Grand Slam title.
“I don’t think this game was more important than any other game he played,” Cahill said. “But it definitely felt very special.”
It was Sinner’s 10th consecutive victory over Zverev, who won his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros.
Zverev’s previous best result at Wimbledon was reaching the fourth round three times.
“I’m 29 years old and this is the first time I really believed that I could win this trophy,” Zverev said.
Prince William attended the final with his wife, Duchess Kate, and their two children in the star-studded Royal Box, which also featured actors Dustin Hoffman, Nicole Kidman and Ben Stiller.
“There is no better place to play tennis,” Sinner said at the trophy ceremony.
The top two seeds looked completely even until Zverev grabbed the only break point of the match at 3-3 two hours and 42 minutes into the third set. Sinner took a drop shot and Zverev appeared to slip and hyperextend his right knee as he tried to change direction behind the baseline.
Zverev grabbed his knee in obvious discomfort, and Sinner went around the net to help pull his opponent off the turf. Zverev quickly resumed play but appeared to be slightly hampered, throwing his racket across the baseline in frustration as he missed a forehand, handing Sinner the first break of the match and leading 5-3 in the third. Then the sinner put it out.
Zverev, who had lost 14 consecutive sets to Sinner, bent over to the box and let out a roar of celebration when he hit a forehand winner in the lineup to settle a close tie-break to take the first set of the final.
Zverev continued to serve at speeds of up to 139 mph, while Sinner hit a series of aces at slightly slower speeds.
However, Sinner started reading Zverev’s serve better in the second set tiebreak, and Zverev started missing forehands.
“He showed once again why he is the best player in the world,” Zverev said.
Sinner produced 58 winners to Zverev’s 49 and only made 25 unforced errors to Zverev’s 45.
Zverev took a 17-15 lead with an ace.
Sinner became the first player to win the Wimbledon men’s singles title without conceding a service game in either the semi-finals (against Novak Djokovic) or the final since Roger Federer did so in 2003 against Andy Roddick and Mark Philippoussis, respectively, winning his first of a record eight titles.
Sinner allowed one break point in both the semi-final and final and saved both.
Despite the loss, Zverev will move into second place in the rankings on Monday, overtaking Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz missed both the French Open and Wimbledon this year due to a right wrist injury.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
