The Wimbledon 2025 men’s final, set for July 13, promises to be a blockbuster clash as world No. 1 Jannik Sinner takes on two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a rematch of their epic French Open final from just five weeks ago. Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, has weighed in on what will determine the outcome of this highly anticipated showdown between the sport’s brightest young stars. With both players dominating the ATP tour—splitting the last six Grand Slam titles evenly—Cash believes the match will come down to “a few points here and there” and who handles the pressure of the big moments best. As Centre Court braces for another chapter in the electrifying “Sincaraz” rivalry, the tennis world is abuzz with anticipation for what could be a defining moment in the new era of men’s tennis.
Alcaraz, the 22-year-old Spaniard, earned his spot in his third consecutive Wimbledon final with a hard-fought 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(8-6) victory over American fifth seed Taylor Fritz. Trailing 4-6 in the fourth-set tiebreak, Alcaraz unleashed his trademark flair, saving two set points with a stunning backhand down the line and sealing the match with a forehand pass that left the crowd roaring. “I can’t wait for Sunday,” Alcaraz said in his press conference, exuding confidence despite the challenge ahead. His serving was a standout, winning 88% of first-serve points and delivering 13 aces, a marked improvement from earlier in his career. With a perfect 5-0 record in Grand Slam finals, including Wimbledon titles in 2023 and 2024, Alcaraz holds a slight edge, as Cash noted: “Carlos has won it twice in a row, he’d have to have an edge playing big matches on grass.”
Sinner, the 23-year-old Italian, stormed into his first Wimbledon final with a commanding 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 demolition of Novak Djokovic, a seven-time champion who appeared hampered by a lingering injury from his quarterfinal. Sinner’s performance was a masterclass, blending nuclear groundstrokes with impeccable defense. “I think it’s going to be a very close matchup like we had in Paris,” Sinner said, reflecting on his straight-sets win over Djokovic and looking ahead to facing Alcaraz. Cash marveled at Sinner’s evolution, particularly his movement: “The way Sinner moves around the court, from a skinny kid whose legs were going everywhere, to the player he is now, powering out of the corners, with his outside foot stopping and then getting back so quickly, his long arms and reach.” This agility, combined with Sinner’s ability to dictate play, makes him a formidable opponent, though Cash warned, “He’s going to be really tough to beat; it’s going to be really tough for Carlos to hit through him.”
The Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry, dubbed the “Big Two” by fans, has already produced classics, none more thrilling than their 2025 French Open final, a five-hour, 29-minute marathon—the longest in Roland Garros history. Alcaraz staged a miraculous comeback from two sets down, saving three championship points at 3-5, 0-40 in the fourth set to win 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(10-2). “I’m sure he’s going to learn from this match, and he’s going to come back stronger,” Alcaraz said of Sinner, acknowledging the Italian’s resilience. Sinner, who holds three Grand Slam titles (Australian Open 2024 and 2025, US Open 2024), has a 3-1 record in major finals but fell to 0-7 in matches exceeding four hours, a stat that could loom large on Sunday. Their head-to-head stands at 8-4 in Alcaraz’s favor, with the Spaniard winning their last five encounters, including a straight-sets victory at the Italian Open in May.
Cash’s prediction hinges on the fine margins that have defined their 12 previous meetings, seven of which went to a deciding set. “It’s going to go down to a few points here and there, whoever performs well in the big situation,” he emphasized, highlighting the mental fortitude required. Alcaraz’s ability to thrive under pressure—evidenced by his 13-1 record in fifth sets and clutch performances like his 2022 US Open quarterfinal win over Sinner—gives him a psychological edge. Yet, Sinner’s mental resilience was on display against Djokovic, where he shook off the French Open heartbreak to dominate. “It’s a huge honour for me to share the court again with Carlos,” Sinner said, signaling his readiness to challenge Alcaraz’s Wimbledon dominance.
The final, set for 4 p.m. BST on Centre Court, carries extra weight as it marks the first Wimbledon men’s final without Djokovic since 2017. With £3 million in prize money and the prestigious Gentlemen’s Singles Trophy at stake, the match is a chance for Alcaraz to cement his grass-court legacy or for Sinner to claim his first Wimbledon title and halt Alcaraz’s five-match streak against him. “Hopefully it will be a good match like the last one,” Sinner said, though he added with a wry smile, “I don’t know if it will be better because I don’t know if that’s possible.” As Cash sees it, the outcome will rest on who seizes the critical moments in what promises to be another chapter in a rivalry that’s redefining tennis.
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