“Winning Wimbledon is the most special thing you can have… it has been everything except easy.” Jannik Sinner did not hold back his emotions after winning his first SW19 and finally ending his 5-match losing streak against Carlos Alcaraz. At once, when the Italian lost the first set 6-4 to Alcaraz, it seemed all over for Sinner. But the World No. 1 was not willing to let the Spaniard repeat another Roland Garros final.

“That’s why I also said after Roland-Garros that it’s not the time to put me down, no, because another Grand Slam is coming up, and I did great here,” Sinner said after taking his 4th Grand Slam home. However, despite winning the title, Sinner was not able to bring the cup home. As per Wimbledon’s official rules, no winner is allowed to take the original trophy home. Instead, all they get is a three-quarter-sized replica, meticulously engraved with their names on it, exactly like the original trophy, but only smaller.

So, after Sinner was done with all the photoshoots with the original trophy, the Wimbledon officials quietly stepped in to take it back, only to inform the newly crowned champion that he would be going home with a replica. Clearly still caught up in the euphoria of his win, Sinner seemed unaware that the real trophy was never his to keep.

So, when officials took the original trophy away, Sinner, rather than showing frustration, he just said, “Alright. No rush.” Jannik Sinner’s reaction really said a lot—choosing poise over protest, and handling the little bump in the road with grace while still respecting the moment. But, you know, this isn’t really new.

Yesterday, when Iga Swiatek won the title in the women’s final against Amanda Anisimova, her trophy was taken away, and she also received a replica instead. While watching this, former French tennis star Marion Bartoli let the Polish know that this trophy is not to take home. “She can’t keep it. You only get a replica of it. This one goes back into the trophy gallery. You don’t go back home with that trophy, there is only one place and it stays in the trophy gallery at Wimbledon,” Bartoli said.

Notably, the tradition of not letting the winners keep the original trophy home is 138 years old. As per Eleanor Thomas, the Collections Manager at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, back in the 1870s-80s, whoever won the trophy three years in a row would get to keep the original trophy. However, in 1887, it was decided to create a “perpetual” trophy, also known as the Challenge Cup, with the intent to last indefinitely. 

“This trophy has a history that dates back to 1887, crafted by Elkington & Co. in Birmingham. They have remained true to Wimbledon’s roots since the beginning,” Thomas explained while talking to the ABC Network in an exclusive interview last year.

As for Sinner, even though he did not show any mercy to his championship opponent, Alcaraz, the Spaniard held no personal grudge against his Italian rival.

Jannik Sinner received nothing but cheers

During the on-court interview, Carlos Alcaraz talked about Jannik Sinner winning the 2025 Wimbledon title. He mentioned, “Yeah, I mean, it’s difficult to lose, you know, it’s always difficult to lose even if it isn’t in the final. But, you know, first of all, I just have to congratulate Jannik once again. I just, congratulations to you, you know, every week. So, it’s a really well-deserved, you know, trophy. Unbelievable two weeks here in London for you, playing a great tennis, you know, for your team as well.”

Alcaraz really showed some great sportsmanship by warmly congratulating Sinner and acknowledging the intensity of their rivalry. He shared how impressive Sinner’s performance has been, the fantastic support team he’s assembled, and the close connection they’ve built beyond the game, pointing out how this rivalry motivates him to improve.

The Spaniard lost his double Wimbledon streak to Sinner, but there will never be a personal feud between them; it’s just a competition in the sport.