A successful defense of the Wimbledon title definitely changes how the champion is perceived. A single win could be due to favorable conditions, a timely draw, or momentum generated during a remarkable fortnight. Success again, especially under the weight of high expectations, invites a different fate. Jannik Sinner’s victory over Alexander Zverev earned him another Grand Slam trophy and, in the process, reinforced the idea that men’s tennis has entered a new era.
Over the years, every major tournament outside of the reigns of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic has been questionable. Who will eventually emerge as the player who will be able to continue to excel after the sports stars? The recent victory of the sinner does not settle the whole argument, but it makes one argument more difficult to put down. At a time when consistency has become as valuable as intelligence, he has proven himself as the yardstick by which the competition will be measured.
The context is important, especially because Sinner’s rise has seemed to be accompanied by constant comparisons to the players who came before him. The temptation was to test every young champion against the impossible standards set by the Big Three. Such comparisons have often obscured the qualities that make the current generation unique. He doesn’t overwhelm his opponents with Federer’s superior technique, Nadal’s relentless physicality, or Djokovic’s expansive defense. Instead, he thrives on extraordinary discipline.
The way the sinner played in the final showed his way. After giving up the opening tiebreak, he didn’t change his strategy or let frustration dictate his decisions. He had trusted the predictions that had guided him during these two days, gradually turning the tides in his favor with depth, precision and patience. His was a game built less on spectacular shooting than on an unshakable lack of confidence that ultimately forces opponents into mistakes.
To be sure, Zverev has had an incredible run. Reaching the Wimbledon final marks another milestone in a career marked by near misses and unmet expectations. And because he considers grass to be less attractive, his success is more important. You came to a set topic-answering a lot of questions with flexibility, until you met an opponent who made a few mistakes under pressure.
It is interesting that Zverev took the time during his death to realize his desire to be remembered as more than a “third person.” His disclosure reflects a frustrating reality familiar to elite athletes for generations. Careers are judged not only by their achievements but also by their contemporaries. Time always shapes legacy like talent. And, in his case, he just happens to be competing against Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Which means that Zverev is now in a position that was once held by many players who have succeeded during the meeting of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. Even if his progress can be compared favorably with the amazing skills from other times, history rarely admits to consideration. The same thing happened with Andy Murray, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Juan Martin Del Potro, and Stan Wawrinka. The presence of elite players reduces everyone’s chances.
Tennis has always resisted early announcements. Injuries, competitions, and the natural ebb and flow of form have derailed many careers that once seemed destined for long-term dominance. For that reason alone, it would be unwise to think that the reign of the Sinner will take place without reasonable opposition. Alcaraz, Zverev, and a deep generation of competitors remain capable of challenging him in the years to come. Still, conventional wisdom has taken notice: he is no longer a promising young player trying to break through. Instead, he is now the standard that everyone must meet.
Anthony L. Cuaycong was writing The court since BusinessWorld launched the Sports category in 1994. He is a consultant in strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
