Nothing could disrupt Jannik Sinner’s focus in the Wimbledon final on Sunday. Not even a stray champagne cork.
The world No. 1 banished any lingering demons from his dramatic five-set loss to Carlos Alcaraz for the Roland Garros title last month, where he failed to convert two championship points, by beating his rival in four sets to take his first Wimbledon title and fourth Grand Slam overall. After dropping the first set from a break ahead, Sinner locked in, and never dropped serve across sets two through four to become the first Italian player to triumph in singles at SW19.
How it happened: Jannik Sinner conquers Carlos Alcaraz to win maiden Wimbledon title, avenges Roland Garros heartbreak
But Sinner’s superb serving may have been shaken early in the second set when the match was still finely poised, and one spectator was a little too eager to get the party started. With the Italian holding a game point for 3-1 and ready to serve, the signature sound of a champagne bottle being opened was heard on Centre Court.
As Alcaraz raised his hands for a pause, Sinner turned away from the court, and soon noticed that the cork landed feet from him. He ushered it away from the playing area, while a ball girl sprinted over to retrieve it.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please don’t pop champagne corks just as the players are about to serve,” chided chair umpire Alison Hughes, as low laughter from the crowd turned to boos for the offending fan.