WIMBLEDON/WASHINGTON, July 13, 2026 (by Michael Dickens)
After Jannik Sinner became the 10th player to successfully defend the Wimbledon men’s singles title on Sunday, after defeating Alexander Zverev, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-4, to clinch his fifth major trophy – and first one this year – he was asked how satisfying it was to have won another Grand Slam title.
Humble and polite, the 24-year-old Italian from South Tyrol, answered during his champion’s news conference a few hours after he lifted his second Wimbledon trophy high and proudly: “Yeah, amazing, amazing achievement from my side. Very tough match today against Sascha.
“Feel like both very high level, because was not easy to play. Was very dusty, breezy. Very happy.
“Of course, standing here, again, as champion means a lot of to me.”
All the emotions on the grandest of stages 🤝#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/narJOhufNa
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 13, 2026
The World No. 1 Sinner, who defeated World No. 3 Zverev of Germany for the 10th straight time, seemed quite emotional after securing match point. It occurred after he and Zverev battled for three hours and 46 minutes, in front of a Centre Court audience of 14,979 fans, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and two of their three children; tennis Hall of Famers Stefan Edberg, Lleyton Hewitt, Richard Krajicek, Jan Kodes and Stan Smith; and other notable celebrities such as Ben Stiller, Nicole Kidman, Dustin Hoffman and Anna Wintour.
During his news conference, Sinner explained how he compared the emotions of winning his fifth major title to the other four.
“I think every Grand Slam is different, you know. Different story, different environment, different feelings before the tournament,” he said.
“For me, this one means a lot because was a tough one after Paris, again. Last year was also tough. But coming here, I tried to put myself in the best possible position to be as competitive as possible.
“Yeah, we put in a lot of workdays in Monaco, very, very long. Definitely sacrificing a lot of my time and everything to be in this position.
“Having this achievement, it means a lot to me. Yeah, it was an amazing day today.”
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When a reporter asked Sinner if beating Zverev to repeat as Wimbledon champion gave him a sense of joy and elation or, if it was just relief, he replied: “I don’t think it’s relief, to be honest.
“The only thing I’m very happy is that I’m trying to do my best every day. Sometimes you have a tournament with a good outcome, and sometimes you just don’t have.
“There’s nothing you can really do about. There is no failure if you don’t win a Grand Slam. It’s very, very rare days. Now I have five in my whole life. We talk about five Grand Slams. But end of the day, it’s five days of so many other days.
“You just want to enjoy it. Today was a very tough day. If I lose, it’s still a great day. Playing a Grand Slam final, it’s so rare and so special.
“So, for me, I never take things for granted. Of course, if I choose, I choose this outcome, but at the end of the day, it’s always two players.”
Defence complete.
Jannik Sinner defeats Alexander Zverev 6-7(7), 7-6(2), 6-3, 6-4 to win his second Wimbledon trophy. #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/TejFI5DdbW
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 12, 2026
Sinner, who praised Zverev during the trophy ceremony, shared his thoughts about the 29-year-old German runner-up during his news conference. “Big, big respect to Sascha, because he’s doing something amazing. His game is growing and growing,” he said.
“In the same time, that’s exactly what’s good, because you have always someone who is pushing you to the limit. We hope that Carlos is coming back, as well, because tennis needs him. Having Novak still around, having all the young players coming, it’s really, really nice.
“At the same time, you always need to work hard and have moments like this.”
Sinner’s Wimbledon victory rewarded him with his sixth title of the season – tops on the ATP Tour – and it’s his first one since completing a career Golden Masters, after winning the ATP Masters 1000 at Rome in May.
“There is no better place to play tennis,” Sinner said of Wimbledon’s famed Centre Court. “You can feel the nerves Sunday morning waking up and it is a very special day and you never know how many times you will be able to come back on Sunday, so I never take things for granted.”
We did it again 🏆 Thank you all for the love and support ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/UbSBUca5hi
— Jannik Sinner (@janniksin) July 12, 2026
Last year, when Sinner won Wimbledon for the first time, he admits he didn’t know what to say to the Royal Family. A reporter asked him if it was any easier the second time around and, if he might, per chance, give Princess Charlotte – a big fan of the sport – a tennis lesson.
“It was not easier (smiling),” Sinner said. “So much respect, so I never know where the line is.
“No, I think you can really see that they love the sport. This is exactly how we feel as players on court when we see them watching tennis. Staying there for four hours under the sun with the heat, it’s really nice.”
Sinner added: “I asked the kids if they still play. They are very happy, yes, they do. We had a very, very small conversation. But I love it. That they also take time to talk with me, it’s something really, really nice. Having the whole Royal Box there, as well, the whole people staying for a match like this for four-ish hours, it’s amazing.
“That’s also the reason why we love to play tennis.”
✨ Jannik and Linda ✨ pic.twitter.com/ThiAuFBEnz
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 13, 2026
