Alongside generational rival Alcaraz, Sinner has dominated the men’s game over the past few seasons, and most expected him to comfortably add to his Grand Slam tally this year.

However, Sinner lost to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open semi-finals and then, having arrived at the French Open on a 29-match winning streak, surprisingly wilted in the second round at Roland Garros.

At Wimbledon, with Melbourne champion Alcaraz missing for the second successive major with a wrist injury, Sinner has reiterated why he is already a true great of the game.

Coming through a gruelling fortnight – particularly in the hot conditions that have troubled him previously – is testament to the work Sinner has put in.

After his shock loss in Paris, Sinner retreated from competitive action and did not play a tournament leading up to Wimbledon.

The decision to take a physical and mental break, as well as trying to find the cause of his problems in the heat, has paid off.

Sinner showed a degree of vulnerability early in the tournament, needing five sets to creep past Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic, but has grown in confidence and quality over the fortnight.

The manner in which he dismantled Djokovic in the last four was a clear sign of his level – and he needed to find his very best on Sunday to overcome Zverev.

Sinner served supremely to limit Zverev to only one break point, underlining again how he has developed his opening shot into one of the most potent in the sport.

He defended the baseline well as he figured out how best to return Zverev’s serve and counter his aggressive approach, then clinically took his chances when they came in the final two sets.