BBC Wimbledon host Clare Balding told reigning men's champion Jannik Sinner that he should have given away a portion of his prize money from last year's tournament. Sinner won at SW19 for the first time in his career in 2025, defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the final to avenge a devastating French Open loss to the same opponent.
Sinner's Lucky Break Against Dimitrov
However, Sinner might not have reached the final without a stroke of fortune in the round of 16. He was two sets to love down against Grigor Dimitrov, who was in the form of his life and poised to send the now-world No. 1 to a stunning early exit. At 2-2 in the third set, Dimitrov fell to the floor clutching his pectoral muscle and was forced to retire. He left Wimbledon in tears, and it was later confirmed the Bulgarian had suffered a torn pectoral muscle, leading to a significant injury layoff.
Dimitrov had been on the verge of a major upset, only to have it taken away in heartbreaking fashion. Sinner advanced and went on to lift the title, earning £3 million in prize money.
Dimitrov's Emotional Comeback at Wimbledon 2026
Almost 12 months later, Dimitrov had a big moment back on the same stage. On Thursday evening, having been given a wildcard after months on the sidelines, Dimitrov stunned 15th seed Jakub Mensik on Court 1 to reach the third round. A fan-favourite, the crowd clearly remembered the horrific incident from the previous year. Every winner was roared on by those in attendance, and the roof nearly came off when the 35-year-old secured his 7-6(5) 4-6 7-5 6-3 victory, booking a spot in the next round against Matteo Berrettini.
It was difficult not to be moved by the occasion, and Dimitrov had to step away from his on-court interview to compose himself. Speaking after the Bulgarian star left the court, Balding gushed over his comeback and claimed he played a key role in Sinner's title win—so much so that the champion should have given away some of his prize money.
Balding's Call for Sinner to Share Prize Money
“Sinner should have given him a percentage,” Balding said on the BBC after Dimitrov's match. Sinner took home £3 million last year for claiming the top prize, and even a slice of that would be a significant amount. This year, players are campaigning for a larger share of Grand Slam revenue. Sinner is leading the conversation, with a group of players demanding 22 per cent of the money received across the majors. The figure in 2026 had been increased to 14.4 per cent.
