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Carlos Alcaraz Had Heartwarming Message for Jannik Sinner After Wimbledon Final Loss

Alcaraz said he was happy for Sinner after their clash in Sunday's final.

Blake Silverman

Carlos Alcaraz congratulated Jannik Sinner just after a difficult four-set loss in the Wimbledon final
Carlos Alcaraz congratulated Jannik Sinner just after a difficult four-set loss in the Wimbledon final / Screengrab via ESPN and @Wimbledon on X/Twitter

In what's always a difficult moment, the runner-up at Wimbledon speaks in front of the crowd at Centre Court moments after a crushing loss. Carlos Alcaraz had to face that music Sunday after his first career loss in a major final. Despite the circumstances, the 22-year-old Spaniard handled it admirably.

While playing for a three-peat at the All England Club, he fell to world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in four sets (4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4). Alcaraz-Sinner is the sport's new signature rivalry, as the two players have combined to win each of the past seven majors. They played an instant-classic final at Roland Garros last month where Alcaraz came back to win in five sets before Sinner got revenge at Wimbledon.

Despite the heated on-court rivalry, the two top-ranked players have formed a solid friendship off the court. As Sinner secured his first Wimbledon win Sunday, his opponent and friend was happy for him—even if he wished the result went a different way.

"I'm really happy for you," Alcaraz said while congratulating Sinner during his post-match interview. "Keep it going and I'm really happy to be able to build a good relationship off the court, but then a great rivalry on the court that makes me improve every day. So thank you very much and congratulations."

The U.S. Open kicks off Aug. 24 as this year's final major and tennis fans certainly hope for another chapter between the two pals. This time, it's Sinner defending a title after he won the U.S. Open final over American Taylor Fritz last year.

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Blake Silverman
BLAKE SILVERMAN

Blake Silverman is a contributor to the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Before joining SI in November 2024, he covered the WNBA, NBA, G League and college basketball for numerous sites, including Winsidr, SB Nation's Detroit Bad Boys and A10Talk. He graduated from Michigan State University before receiving a master's in sports journalism from St. Bonaventure University. Outside of work, he's probably binging the latest Netflix documentary, at a yoga studio or enjoying everything Detroit sports. A lifelong Michigander, he lives in suburban Detroit with his wife, young son and their personal petting zoo of two cats and a dog.

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