LONDON (AP) — Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are set to face off for the Wimbledon championship on Sunday, just five weeks after their thrilling encounter in the French Open final. This upcoming matchup at Centre Court will feature the No. 1-ranked Sinner taking on No. 2 Alcaraz. It's notable as it marks the first time since Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in 2006, 2007, and 2008 that the same two men have met in the title matches on both clay at Roland-Garros and grass at the All England Club within the same year.
The two players, both 22 years old, have already showcased their remarkable talents earlier this season. Alcaraz triumphed over Sinner in a grueling five-set match that stretched over 5 hours and 29 minutes at the French Open on June 8. During that match, Alcaraz made a significant comeback from a two-set deficit, saving three match points along the way. With that victory, Alcaraz improved his Grand Slam finals record to 5-0 and celebrated titles at Wimbledon in both 2023 and 2024.
Heading into the Wimbledon final, Alcaraz also boasts an impressive 24-match winning streak and has successfully defeated Sinner in their last five encounters. Sinner, on the other hand, will be competing in his fourth consecutive Grand Slam final, but this marks his first appearance at Wimbledon. He has already secured three major titles, winning the U.S. Open last September and the Australian Open in January.
Sinner, known for his powerful game, has been managing an elbow issue. He has been seen wearing tape and an arm sleeve on his right elbow since suffering a fall during the opening game of his fourth-round victory. Despite these challenges, Sinner demonstrated his resilience by defeating 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. After that intense match, he expressed confidence that his elbow would not hinder his performance in the finals.
The finals are scheduled to begin on Sunday at 4 p.m. local time, which is equivalent to 11 a.m. ET. As anticipation builds, Sinner has emerged as a slight favorite, with BetMGM Sportsbook listing him at -110, while Alcaraz is closely behind at -105. Both players have shown exceptional skill and determination throughout the tournament, making this final a highly anticipated showdown.
