Closing an era
On Friday night, Novak Djokovic, the “last Mohican warrior” of the golden generation, fell to Jannik Sinner in the 2025 Wimbledon semi-finals.
The 38-year-old Serbian is still full of tricks but unfortunately his physical condition is not as good as it could be. He was defeated by Sinner much more quickly than he was defeated in Paris.
Djokovic failed to win any points in nine rallies lasting over nine shots, and only had six successful returns in the first two sets. His last-ditch efforts with the serve-to-net strategy only made people feel more helpless.
Djokovic, one of the best returners of all time, barely used slices and won just six return points in the first two sets against Sinner's extremely clean serve.
He no longer has the lateral speed to follow Sinner's baseline play, a result of a groin injury sustained in a fall in the quarter-final against Cobolli.
One of the greatest tennis players in history could now face the first time in nearly a decade and a half that he has not won a Grand Slam in seven consecutive tournaments. Left on the court are two young faces: Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, representing a new era.
The new duo of world tennis
Elite sport has always required great rivals. In the 1970s and 1980s, tennis had Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert, who met 80 times – 60 of them in the finals.
Over the past half-century, men's tennis has seen legendary pairings such as Björn Borg – John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors – McEnroe, Boris Becker – Stefan Edberg, Pete Sampras – Andre Agassi, and of course Novak Djokovic – Rafael Nadal – Roger Federer. Now there's Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
At 23 (Sinner) and 22 (Alcaraz), the two young players are dominating tennis. They have shared the last six Grand Slams, met 12 times (Alcaraz won eight), and produced a classic Roland Garros final recently – where Alcaraz came back from two sets down and saved three match points.
“It’s not like what the Big Three have been doing for 15 years. But this is the second Grand Slam in a row where Carlos and I have faced each other in the final – that’s good for tennis,” Sinner said.
Alcaraz also admitted: "I don't dare say it feels like Nadal vs Federer, but there is clearly a very different energy between me and Jannik."
On paper, Wimbledon 2025 was expected to be full of surprises. But in the end, the obvious happened: Alcaraz and Sinner will compete for their seventh consecutive Grand Slam title since the 2023 US Open.
Alcaraz – Sinner: Who is better?
Carlos Alcaraz is aiming for a third consecutive Wimbledon title – something only four men have achieved in the Open era: Borg, Sampras, Federer and Djokovic. With his versatile playing style, steely spirit and big-court prowess, he has the psychological advantage.
However, Jannik Sinner is not far behind. Despite being suspended for the first three months of the year for doping violations, the Italian tennis player still maintains the world No. 1 position with an impressive record: 98 wins - 11 losses in the last two seasons. He reached the Grand Slam final for the fourth consecutive time and the first time at Wimbledon.
In terms of head-to-head, Alcaraz is superior: winning 8/12 times, including 5 in a row. But Sinner is undaunted: “If I was still haunted by the defeat in Paris, I would not be standing here. This is a new match. He is the number one candidate because he has won here twice. But I like challenges like that.”
Sinner has had an incredible winning percentage in the last two seasons: 98 wins out of 109 (90%), winning 9 titles. In the same period, Alcaraz has won 102 out of 120 (85%), also winning 9 titles.
However, Alcaraz is better in direct confrontation: winning 8/12 times, including the last 5 consecutive matches - the most recent being the Roland Garros final.
“Alcaraz is the only one who can beat Sinner when he is at his best,” said John McEnroe. “If Alcaraz is not at his best, Sinner will win. It will be a great final.”
The slight advantage may be in Alcaraz’s favour. The Spaniard has not had any injuries in the past two weeks. Meanwhile, Sinner suffered a minor elbow injury in the fourth round but declared “nothing to worry about” after beating Djokovic in the semi-finals.
“Carlos has a slight advantage, thanks to his two titles here and his current form,” Djokovic said. “But it’s a small advantage, because Sinner is also playing very well. It will be a very close match, like in Paris.”
Fire and ice, who will rise to the top?
The world media did not hesitate to call them the new version of Borg – McEnroe. Sinner, calm and disciplined, rarely showed emotions. He kept his composure even in the midst of the storm of the doping ban or after the “heartbreaking” defeat at Roland Garros.
“He has very good self-awareness and always looks at his career in the long term,” said coach Darren Cahill.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, while not as fiery as McEnroe, was full of emotion. He shouted “Vamos!” after every big point, flashed a big smile when he won, and radiated positive energy. “He was a real artist on the court,” said the legendary Billie Jean King.
Physically, Alcaraz has not suffered any injuries in the past two weeks. Sinner suffered an elbow injury in round 4 but insisted it has not affected his current form.
Djokovic – who lost to Sinner in the semi-finals – commented: “Carlos has the advantage because of his experience here and his current form. But only a little bit, because Jannik is also playing very well. This final will be as close as the one in Paris.”
Perhaps the only thing fans are looking forward to now is a final worthy of the legacy. Once again, Sinner and Alcaraz – two extremes, two playing styles, two temperaments – face off, this time on the green grass of Wimbledon. History is opening a new chapter. And it no longer bears Djokovic's name.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/alcaraz-vs-sinner-lua-va-bang-ai-se-len-dinh-wimbledon-151686.html
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