Jannik Sinner sportsmanship applauded as Alexander Zverev slip proves key turning point in tense 2026 Wimbledon men's singles final

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There were some concerned expressions around Centre Court during the men’s singles final at Wimbledon on Sunday evening when French Open champion Alexander Zverev collapsed in a heap at the end of a rally.

Highlights: Sinner defends Wimbledon crown with victory over Zverev

Video credit: SNTV

But shocked gasps soon turned to warm applause when world No. 1 Jannik Sinner scampered around the net to check on the health of his opponent and help him back to his feet.

Zverev’s slip came at a crucial point in the match, with the German one point away from claiming the first break of a gruelling final midway through the third set, after the players had won a tie-break apiece in the opening two.

Sinner saved the break point with a beautifully disguised drop shot that surprised the Roland-Garros champion, who slipped as he adjusted his footing behind the baseline.

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Zverev was sprawled out on his back, raising some concern that he may have suffered injury.

”He looks in some pain,” said TNT Sports commentator Ali Eykyn. ”Jannik Sinner is coming across to check on him.”

Sinner earned applause as he showed great sportsmanship by helping Zverev back to his feet before the opponents shared a brief embrace.

”He was well beaten by the drop shot anyway,” Eykyn added.

Co-commentator Miles Maclagan said: ”Hopefully it’s one of those where the initial pain, he just felt maybe a little bit of a twist. He just extended a little as it went behind him.”

”Some of that reaction is down to the outcome of the point, the significance of it at break point,” Eykyn said.

Zverev was able to continue seemingly unhurt, but it proved to be a turning point in the match as Sinner claimed the long-awaited first break of the match in the following game.

The world No. 1 and reigning Wimbledon champion then served out the set to edge in front in a memorable Centre Court contest.

A single break subsequently proved enough again in set four as the Italian completed his comeback to defend his title and claim a fifth major crown.

Zverev says 'serve speed went down' after slip

Zverev was asked about the slip in a post-match press conference and revealed that it left him feeling underpowered on serve.

”I overextended my knee again, similar to two years ago," he said.

"I was struggling to push off on the serve a little bit. So my serve speed went down.

"But everything else went fine. I was moving fine from the baseline and playing from the baseline fine. But on the serve, I was struggling a little bit more."

He added: "I think the fall didn't help me in the third set. In the third set, my level dropped a little bit. But then I picked it up in the fourth again. I just got broken, yeah, in a little bit unlucky way, so...

"That was the match. But overall, I thought it was quite high level throughout the match from both of us."

Highlights: Sinner and Zverev book Wimbledon final as Fery-tale ends

Video credit: TNT Sports

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Enjoy daily highlights from Wimbledon 2026 on tntsports.co.uk and the TNT Sports app, plus watch and stream highlights each evening and the men's and women's singles finals live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

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