Jannik Sinner\u2019s task was already tough enough: defeat rival Carlos Alcaraz in the men\u2019s final of Wimbledon on Sunday. Then he had to deal with Champagne corks.<\/p>\n
Up 2-1 in the second set after dropping the first, the Italian was about to serve for a chance to win the game. But an ill-timed bottle pop from the crowd resulted in a cork landing on the court. Sinner stopped bouncing the tennis ball and took a few steps back. Alcaraz, across the net, threw his hands up in frustration.<\/p>\n
Sinner picked up the cork and handed it to a ball girl, who sprinted off with the 2-inch disruption.<\/p>\n
\u201cLadies and gentlemen,\u201d the umpire said on the loudspeaker, \u201cas a courtesy to both players, please do not pop Champagne corks just as the players are about to serve.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sinner would go on to defeat Alcaraz in four sets<\/a> to claim his first Wimbledon trophy. With Sunday\u2019s victory, Sinner has now won every Grand Slam except the French Open.<\/p>\n He was asked after the match about \u201chaving to avoid a Champagne cork that came onto the court.\u201d<\/p>\n Sinner said it\u2019s only happened at Wimbledon.<\/p>\n \u201cBut that\u2019s exactly why we love playing here,\u201d he joked. \u201cIt\u2019s a very expensive tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n Sunday\u2019s Champagne incident wasn\u2019t the first time it occurred at Wimbledon this year. In the women\u2019s singles quarterfinal last Tuesday, a fan uncorked a bottle<\/a> just as Anastasia Potapova was set to serve to Mirra Andreeva.<\/p>\n Earlier in the tournament, American star Amanda Anisimova squared off with Hungarian Dalma Galfi. Moments before she tossed the ball for a serve, a cork popped in the crowd,<\/a> causing her to be visibly upset and voice her displeasure.<\/p>\n The umpire reminded the crowd of the etiquette rules, prompting a broadcaster to say it was \u201cthe most Wimbledon warning you\u2019ve ever heard.\u201d<\/p>\n Anisimova, who went on to make the women\u2019s singles final before falling in straight sets to Iga Swiatek, spoke after the match about the constant cork popping.<\/p>\n