Context:

Carlos Alcaraz faced his first Grand Slam final defeat against Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon, marking a significant moment in his career as he had previously won all five of his major finals. Despite a strong start and winning the first set, Alcaraz struggled to maintain his performance, facing challenges with his serving and failing to convert break points in the last three sets. Sinner's exceptional returning and consistent pressure pushed Alcaraz to his limits, leaving him on the defensive. Alcaraz acknowledged the quality of Sinner's play and recognized areas for improvement, particularly in serving under pressure. This loss ends Alcaraz's 24-match unbeaten streak and forces him to adjust to moving forward from a Grand Slam final defeat.

Dive Deeper:

• Carlos Alcaraz experienced his first loss in a Grand Slam final to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon, after previously winning all five of his major finals, including two consecutive Wimbledon championships.

• Alcaraz began the match strongly, capturing the first set with impressive play, including a 140 mph ace and a decisive cross-court backhand winner. However, his performance declined as the match progressed.

• Alcaraz struggled with his serve, achieving only a 53% first-serve percentage and committing seven double-faults, which contributed to him being broken five times throughout the match.

• Sinner's powerful returns, particularly on Alcaraz's second serves, placed Alcaraz under continuous pressure and limited his ability to dictate play from the baseline.

• Alcaraz recognized the challenge posed by Sinner's play, admitting that Sinner's pressure caused him to lose focus and struggle with decision-making during the match.

• Despite the loss, Alcaraz is focusing on the positives, acknowledging his participation in a Grand Slam final and expressing a desire to improve his serving and handling of high-pressure situations.

• This defeat marks the end of Alcaraz's remarkable 24-match winning streak and highlights the need for him to adapt to setbacks and refine his game for future competitions.