But despite the agonising defeat, Zverev showed his light side by beginning his conversation with Annabel Croft by turning to his opponent and saying: “Jannik I don’t really like you anymore.” The moment cracked up Sinner, Croft, Princess Kate as part of the presentation party and the entire Centre Court crowd.
“I lost to you nine times in a row,” Zverev continued to explain. “But no, congratulations to Jannik. He showed once again why he’s the best player in the world. It was great to share the Centre Court with you on finals weekend.
“It’s a great honour. Unfortunately it didn’t go my way but congratulations to you first of all.”
He then turned to Corft, confused about the dynamic of the speech, and asked: “I don’t know how it works, do I just keep going? Jannik’s team, you guys are world number one but you started outside the top 10 and worked your way. It’s definitely a team effort. To my team, we had a pretty good two months I would say even though we lost this final.
“We had an amazing two months. We came into Wimbledon never reaching a quarter-final and we played our first final. At 29 years old, this was the first time I actually believed I can win this trophy so thanks to you guys as well.
“I’d like to thank the crowd for these two amazing weeks. I never felt support like that in Wimbledon before. You guys are a big part of why I made it to the final so thank you very much for that.”
He then turned to the Royal Box, which Princess Kate had left to be part of the trophy presentation, and Zverev said to Prince William and the other members: “One more thing, it is very special playing on this Centre Court and it is because of the Royal Box as well.
“The amount of special people I see for every single match, especially the final, it is an honour to play in front of you, your Royal Highness and everybody. It is the most unique court in whole world, the royal box is special thing, and it is a massive honour to play on this court, simple as that.”
Prince William was joined in the Royal Box by Prince George and Princess Charlotte in addition to Hollywood legends Dustin Hoffman and Nicole Kidman, Ben Stiller and Rami Malek.