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After Alexander “Sascha” Zverev captured the first set of the 2026 men’s singles final at Wimbledon, it looked like the conversation might turn to whether he had seized the mantle as the top player in tennis.
But that’s when Jannik Sinner reminded everyone that he’s still the No. 1 player in the world.
Jannik Sinner rallied after dropping the first set to defeat Alexander Zverev at Wimbledon 2026, earning his second consecutive title and fifth Grand Slam championship. (Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
After dropping the first set, Sinner rallied to victory over Zverev, 6-7 (7-9), 7-6 (7-2), 6-3, 6-4, to earn his second consecutive Wimbledon title and fifth career Grand Slam championship.
Sinner also continued an incredible streak in his rivalry with Zverev.
Zverev hasn’t broken Sinner’s serve in 87 straight service games, since the 2025 Vienna final. Sinner has also defeated Zverev in ten consecutive matches dating back to the 2023 U.S. Open.
Zverev won the French Open in June after Sinner suffered a stunning defeat in the second round of the tournament. It was the first Grand Slam victory in Zverev’s career.
He looked poised to make it back-to-back major victories after an impressive opening set. However, the No. 2 seed and world No. 3 just couldn’t win the critical points that he needed, including the only break-point opportunity he had in the match.
Sinner, though, did come up clutch in those big spots, converting 2 of 5 break-point chances. The key moment in the match came when Sinner had his back against the wall.
Jannik Sinner celebrates a point against Alexander Zverev during the Gentlemen’s Singles final on day 14 of Wimbledon at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, England. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Zverev had a break-point opportunity in the third set with the score tied, 3-3. Sinner hit a beautiful drop shot that caused Zverev to slip while trying to change direction. Zverev went to the ground and grabbed his knee in pain.
Although Zverev was able to continue and didn’t appear to be hampered by the apparent injury, Sinner went on to win that game and break Zverev in the ensuing game to take control of the final.
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Sinner got his second break of serve in the seventh game of the fourth set and held the rest of the way for the victory.
It was the first Grand Slam title of the year for Sinner, who lost in the semifinals of the 2026 Australian Open and fell in a second-round stunner at the 2026 French Open.
Jannik Sinner celebrates his victory over Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. (John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images)
Carlos Alcaraz, the No. 2 player in the world, missed both the French Open and Wimbledon with injury after winning the Australian Open in February.
It remains to be seen if Alcaraz will be healthy enough to defend his title at the 2026 U.S. Open, which begins on Aug. 23.
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If Alcaraz cannot play, Sinner, the 2024 U.S. Open champion, figures to be a heavy favorite.
And Zverev gets another chance to prove that his French Open victory wasn’t a one-off and he belongs in the conversation with Sinner and Alcaraz as the best in the world.
For now, though, Sinner sits comfortably on top of the tennis world.
