On July 13, Jannik Sinner made history by becoming the first Italian player to win Wimbledon, defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the tournament final. This remarkable achievement drew immediate congratulations from tennis greats and contemporaries alike, including Coco Gauff, Maria Sharapova, Billie Jean King, and former coaches of Roger Federer.
Sinner secured his breakthrough Wimbledon title after a gripping match lasting over three hours on Centre Court, overcoming Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. This victory also served as personal redemption, as Alcaraz had defeated Sinner in a dramatic five-set French Open final just a month earlier.
Widespread Praise from Tennis Icons and Peers
Messages congratulating Sinner began arriving swiftly. Maria Sharapova recalled a humorous Christmas video featuring Sinner, sharing it with the words:
“It is only appropriate to bring this back to the top of the feed.”
Billie Jean King, a 12-time Grand Slam champion, applauded the quality and spirit of the final, writing:
“Congratulations to Jannik Sinner on winning his first Wimbledon title in another thrilling contest with Carlos Alcaraz. Their growing rivalry is a gift to our sport, and it’s matched by the genuine respect they show for each other. Win or lose, they compete with joy, class, and sportsmanship. That’s what makes champions,”
Rod Laver also expressed his admiration for the match and its competitors. Brad Gilbert, formerly Coco Gauff’s coach, and Ivan Ljubicic, once Federer’s coach, contributed their thoughts on social media as well. Ljubicic emphasized the importance of family support, noting:
“Congratulations to @janniksin and his team for their first @Wimbledon title! One consideration that goes unobserved and but very important… is that his father was working during RG final and his mom was sitting outside his box today. Note to all parents out there. Let them be.”
Other notable athletes like Barbora Krejcikova, Holger Rune, Alex de Minaur, and footballer Jack Grealish joined the celebrations by posting congratulatory comments on Sinner’s Instagram. Additionally, fellow Italians Jasmine Paolini, Lorenzo Musetti, and Flavio Cobolli shared their excitement through Instagram Stories.
Sinner’s Encouraging Words to Rival Alcaraz After Wimbledon Final
Following the intense final, Jannik Sinner offered a sincere and motivational message to Carlos Alcaraz, recognizing both the challenge of competing against him and their mutual respect. In his victory speech, Sinner said:
“Carlos, again, an amazing tournament, but mostly thank you for the player you are. It’s so difficult to play against you, but we have an amazing relationship off the court and on the court, we just try to build up, and to do that we need the best teams in the world.”
He also urged Alcaraz to continue striving for success, saying:
“Keep going, keep pushing and you are going to hold this [trophy] many times. You already have two [titles]!”
Looking Ahead: Sinner’s Ambitions for the Season
Having now claimed two of the three Grand Slam titles this year, Jannik Sinner is preparing for the upcoming North American hardcourt season. With his Wimbledon trophy in hand, he aims to defend his US Open title this August and maintain momentum throughout what has already been an exceptional year.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Coco Gauff change her name?
A. Coco is a short form: The tennis player’s full name is Cori Gauff, which honors her dad, Corey. Gauff explained to Sports Illustrated Kids in 2021 that people might mix up their names. “I think my aunt suggested, ‘Let’s just call her Coco,'” she shared.
Q. Does Coco Gauff have a degree?
A. Gauff earned her diploma from the Florida Department of Education after studying with Florida Virtual Flex. At 18, she balanced school and a thriving tennis career for four years.
Q. Why do they call her Coco Gauff?
A. As Cori Gauff grew up, her family started calling her “Coco.” This nickname came from an aunt to avoid confusion with her dad, since they share the same first name pronunciation. Gauff began playing tennis at the age of 6.
Q. Who upset Coco Gauff?
A. In Wimbledon, England, Coco Gauff faced an early exit after winning the French Open. She’s only the third woman in the Open era to lose in the first round at Wimbledon following a French Open victory. She fell to unseeded Dayana Yastremska from Ukraine with scores of 7-6 (3), 6-1 on Tuesday night.