“The stage, it doesn’t get any bigger now. Grand Slam finals against Carlos, it’s a special moment for me and for him, too.” Just last month before falling to Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open, Jannik Sinner knew what going against the Spaniard would mean. In the longest French Open final in history that lasted five hours and 29 minutes, the Roland Garros defending champion clawed his way back from the brink, saving three championship points and overturning a two-set deficit to defeat Jannik Sinner.

With 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(10-2), he seized his fifth Grand Slam crown to become the first man to win a major after saving a match point since Novak Djokovic’s miracle against Federer in 2019. The best part? Alcaraz had never before won a match after dropping the first two sets. Sure, the 22-year-old showed his grip on the clay in what he called “probably the best match I ever played so far.” And now, Jannik Sinner faces the back-to-back reigning Wimbledon champ on a surface he has practically mastered.

Entering SW19, Alcaraz was already 27-3 on the grass and he still knew how “Every player is different, with a different style, especially on grass. So, you have to keep learning.” After the loss at Court Philippe Chatrier, their H2H stood at a 4-8 record. But Sinner didn’t collapse. He regrouped and has since stormed through Wimbledon in resurgent form. And Alcaraz is more than aware of what his Finals opponent can do.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Carlos Alcaraz was asked the burning question: “You feel you going into the match against Jannik, with like a mental advantage, after the comeback in Paris and what happened there?” But the Spaniard shut that down instantly. “Not at all, to be honest,” he said, unwavering.

“You know, what Jannik has is, because he learned from everything as a huge champion. He is, you know from the losses, from the matches he’s playing, he just get better, you know, after every match, after every day. So, I’m pretty sure he’s going to take a lot of things from French Open final that he’s going to be better. He’s going to be better physically, better mentally, just he’s going to be prepared on Sunday to give his 100%. So, I’m not thinking that I’m or I have an advantage mentally, you know, on Sunday because of that match.”

Alcaraz made it clear, Sunday will be a war, and past results mean nothing. He acknowledged that Sinner will walk onto Centre Court stronger and sharper, fueled by lessons from Paris. And what a final it was, etched already among tennis’ most iconic battles. Alcaraz unleashed the match of his life, seizing his fifth Grand Slam crown.

For Jannik Sinner, the heartbreak ran deep. Chasing his maiden Roland Garros title and third straight major, he came agonizingly close. “I’m still happy with this trophy—I won’t sleep very well tonight, but it is OK,” he said, standing tall in defeat. But Sinner, ever the fighter, is going through his opponents as an unfathomable force.

After a scary slip against Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round, Sinner steadied, with Dimitrov retiring while leading. He then dispatched Ben Shelton with clinical efficiency and dismantled Novak Djokovic in straight sets to prove he’s fully recharged and roaring toward another shot at glory.

And then there’s Alcaraz, who surged past Taylor Fritz in his own semifinal, chasing history at SW19 with three-peat story is brewing.

Carlos Alcaraz nears historic Wimbledon treble after defeating Taylor Fritz

Some have said Wimbledon’s grass has played slower this year, but this semi-final lit up like a vintage showdown. The rhythm was fast, the points were short, the tension was razor-sharp. Carlos Alcaraz’s 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(6) win over Taylor Fritz felt like a blast from a golden era. The Spaniard, usually known for dazzling rallies, transformed into something else entirely: a cold, clinical serve-and-volley machine.

Alcaraz looked almost unrecognizable, more Pistol Pete than flamboyant flash. He won a staggering 88% of points on his first serve and an equally jaw-dropping 31 of 41 points at the net. “I was just serving really good,” Alcaraz admitted. “And I won a lot of serve and volley points today, just not letting the opponent get into the point, to get a good rhythm.”

Fritz brought the fight, no question. He pushed, chased, and countered, but a few points slipped through his fingers. And in a match with such tight margins, that was the difference. Still, for all Alcaraz’s dominance, Fritz remains convinced that grass is his best shot at taking down the Spaniard, despite now trailing 0-3 in their H2H battles.

Meanwhile, Alcaraz’s record at Wimbledon only grows more imposing. He now stands at 24-2 at the All England Club, hunting a third straight crown. And up next? A blockbuster final against Jannik Sinner, the Italian who stunned Novak Djokovic in straight sets. Two men in their prime. One title on the line.

So, whose side are you on? Let the debate begin while you catch all the action live and uninterrupted on EssentiallySports.