The first person Jannik Sinner thanked in his speech after winning Wimbledon was Carlos Alcaraz.
Speaking after the latest instalment of their captivating rivalry, Sinner said: "Carlos, thank you for the player you are.
"It is so difficult to play you but we have a great relationship off the court.
"Keep going, keep pushing, you are going to hold this trophy many times - you already have twice!"
A packed Centre Court crowd were almost willing Alcaraz to find a way to force a deciding fifth set and keep an absorbing contest going.