The 2025 Wimbledon Final has become a symbol of significance not only as one of the most prestigious events in the world of sports but also in the context of international relations. In an era where non-state actors, particularly those in fields beyond politics, such as sports, which is the focus of this paper, are increasingly becoming instruments of global diplomacy, such international events play strategic roles in states’ soft power building, pursuit of international recognition, and representation of national identities. A globally followed tournament like Wimbledon constitutes one of the rare stages where countries can express themselves indirectly through athletes, rather than through explicit political discourse. In this context, Novak Djokovic, who holds seven Wimbledon titles, has served as more than just a successful athlete for a medium-sized country like Serbia. He has also played a crucial role in promoting national identity and conveying political messages on a global scale.
One of the most noteworthy aspects of the 2025 final in this context is how the finalist athletes have contributed to the international visibility of their respective countries. Athletes are now perceived not solely through the lens of their individual achievements but also as carriers of the cultures, languages, political histories, and socioeconomic backgrounds they represent. As such, success on a platform like Wimbledon signifies more than just a sporting victory; it also entails the visibility and recognition of national identity in the eyes of the global public. Particularly for lesser-known countries or those with limited soft power capacity on the international stage, such achievements are highly effective in shaping and repositioning the nation’s image.
The visibility opportunities offered by sports help explain why states are increasingly prioritizing sports diplomacy within their foreign policy strategies. Soft power is defined as the ability to attract and shape the preferences of others. A high-profile sporting event such as Wimbledon provides a unique platform for this process of attraction. The athletes’ sportsmanship, their association with national flags during competition, and the positive public sentiment they generate all contribute to soft power through the cultural appeal of sport.
The history of Wimbledon has been marked not only by athletic achievements but also by various political tensions and messages. Especially during the Cold War era, the affiliations between players and their home countries often transformed certain matches into political symbols. The 1973 boycott by ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) players, for instance, was directly linked to the struggle for union rights among professional tennis players and serves as a significant example of how power struggles between athlete rights and tournament governance were projected onto the sporting stage.[1]
During the era when South Africa was excluded from certain sporting events due to its apartheid regime, Wimbledon too was affected by global pressure, and in the 1970s, the participation of South African athletes became increasingly controversial under the influence of anti-apartheid public opinion. In the 2000s, the removal of spectators displaying the Palestinian flag by security forces reignited ethical debates over whether sport can truly remain a neutral space. These examples demonstrate that global events like Wimbledon cannot be entirely separated from political agendas and may, at times, serve as vehicles for international political messages.
While state-centric theories such as classical realism tend to view sports as a secondary or peripheral domain, liberal and constructivist approaches emphasize the role of sports in fostering international cooperation, norm-building, and identity formation. From a constructivist perspective, events like Wimbledon offer states a platform not only to pursue their interests but also to reproduce and project their identities. The language of sport is universal; therefore, the messages conveyed through sports transcend national borders and become embedded in the emotional memory of the international public.
In the context of the 2025 Wimbledon final, the international impact of sports has become even more pronounced. In the women’s category, Polish player Iga Świątek claimed the title, while in the men’s category, Italy’s Jannik Sinner secured a historic victory. Particularly in the men’s final, this major achievement by Italy-after a long absence from such success-drew global public attention to the country’s history, culture, and political standing, despite its relatively limited presence in the international sports arena. Frequent media interviews, enthusiastic flag displays, high levels of social media engagement, and official congratulatory messages contributed to the transformation of sports into a diplomatic language. Statements by the presidents of both Italy and Poland following the finals, along with the posts shared by their diplomatic missions on social media, demonstrated that sport has evolved beyond mere competition into a symbolic arena of interstate representation and a tool of soft power. These victories entered the historical record not merely as personal achievements for Świątek and Sinner, but as cultural and diplomatic milestones that strengthened the international image of their respective nations.
The diplomatic spaces offered by sport operate not only through direct channels of promotion and representation but also through indirect mechanisms such as collaborative initiatives, sponsorship agreements, cultural exchange programs, and extensive media coverage. A country that gains visibility in a prestigious event like Wimbledon does not merely attract short-term attention; it also secures long-term opportunities for economic and political engagement. One of the most striking outcomes of this process, from the perspective of international relations, is the redefinition of public diplomacy through sport. Events such as the Wimbledon Final offer messages that are more inclusive, more observable, and more rapidly disseminated than those conveyed through traditional diplomatic channels. Moreover, sport serves as a bridge for easing strained relations, enhancing people-to-people interaction, and legitimizing national achievements through a sense of collective pride.
In conclusion, the case of the 2025 Wimbledon Final illustrates that sport has evolved from being a passive spectacle into an active strategic domain within international relations. The representational role of athletes, their contribution to the international recognition of their countries, and the support they provide to states’ soft power capacities have transformed this tournament from a mere sporting event into a stage for global diplomacy.
[1] “Wimbledon boycott: The Davis Cup decision that saw 81 players snub 1973 tournament”, The Mirror, https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon-boycott-1973-davis-cup-35443456, (Date Accessed: 14.07.2025).
