Carlos Alcaraz's seven-word message during Wimbledon final emerges and it sums up his feelings on Jannik Sinner
Carlos Alcaraz was furious with himself when addressing his team during the third set of his Wimbledon final defeat to rival Jannik Sinner.
The Spaniard has won the two previous Wimbledon titles with victories over Novak Djokovic, but struggled up against Sinner who made his first final on Centre Court.
Alcaraz won the first set 6-4, but things started to get away from the 22-year-old with Sinner winning the next three by the same scoreline to clinch his maiden title.
The Italian looked in complete control of the match as Alcaraz's poor first serve completion rate allowed Sinner to attack his rival to break.
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What Carlos Alcaraz told his team
During the third set Alcaraz's body language appeared to take a turn for the worst, and following a break of serve at 4-4 he shared his frustration with his team in the stands.
According to tennis commentator José Morgado, Alcaraz shouted to his box: "He is playing much better than me."
Heading into the final Alcaraz had won the previous five meetings against Sinner including a box office final in June's French Open final.
Sinner's victory comes after he served a controversial three month ban for doping offenses earlier in the year.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) found Sinner was inadvertently contaminated with the banned substance clostebol by his physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi during a massage in March, 2024.
What has Carlos Alcaraz said about Jannik Sinner's doping ban?
Alcaraz first commented on Sinner's positive test ahead of the US Open in 2024.
"I believe there's something behind all of this that many people don't know, including myself. It's very hard to talk about it," said Alcaraz.
"He tested positive, but there must be a reason why they let him keep playing that we're unaware of. I believe in clean sport."
After beating Sinner in the final of his home Italian Open in May following his return to tennis, Alcaraz commented on the ban and welcomed his opponent back to the tour.
"(Those) three months, I can't feel him because I wasn't in that position," Alcaraz said, following his 7-6, 6-1 win in Italy.
"I mean, I can understand that he was surprised about some players who call him. I didn't call him. I didn't talk to him in (those) three months.
"But it wasn't about if I was agreed or not. I mean, I was playing. I was in my feelings, as well. Honestly, I can understand him that he was surprised about some other players who didn't call him. It is in his rights to say it."
Alcaraz added: "I have to congratulate you because it's amazing what you have done with your team.
"I'm not gonna get tired of saying how amazing a person, an athlete, you are. Working really hard every day to make this possible, making your people proud."
Topics: Carlos Alcaraz, Wimbledon, Tennis
Tom Jenkins