Carlos Alcaraz won his first clash with Yannick Sinner in 2026 as the two best players in the men’s game met on hard court.
World No. 1 Alcaraz triumphed 7-5 7-6 against the player directly below him in the world rankings as they competed in the Hyundai Card Super Match in South Korea.
Spanish Alcaraz and Italian Sinner are not playing in any official tournament ahead of the Australian Open, which takes place from January 18 to February 1 in Melbourne.
Siner (left) and Alcaraz (right) will be the favorites at the Australian Open from January 18
Sinner has won the previous two Australian Open titles, defeating Danilo Medvedev from two sets down in 2024 before seeing off Alexander Zverev in straight sets a year ago.
If Alcaraz wins the tournament at Melbourne Park, he will complete the career Grand Slam.
Siner and Alcaraz have shared the last eight Grand Slam titles, picking up four each since Novak Djokovic won his 24th major at the 2023 US Open.
How the rivalry between Siner and Alcaraz turned out in 2025
In 2025, Sinner confirmed his victory in Australia by winning his first Wimbledon title when he recorded a four-set victory over Alcaraz.
However, he lost to his great rival in the finals of the French Open and the US Open, and Alcaraz came back from two sets down to win a remarkable match at Roland Garros.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
The best points shared between the world’s best players, Alcaraz and Sinner, from their matches in 2025.
Overall last year, Alcaraz beat Sinner in four of their six meetings – each of which was in the final – having also outplayed the Italian at the Masters 1000 in Rome and Cincinnati.
Sinner’s second post-Wimbledon victory over Alcaraz came in the season-ending ATP Finals final in his home country, leaving their ATP Tour head-to-head 10-6 in favor of Alcaraz.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of the ATP Finals where Sinner beat Alcaraz to win the title
Sinner allows the young fan to play the point against Alcaraz
In Saturday’s exhibition, the match was paused in the fifth game of the second set when Alcaraz got into a rally with a young fan, who temporarily got Sinner’s racket.
Sinner, who sat in the stands watching his substitute hit a forehand winner, said afterwards: “It was a fun match, that’s why we came here. Obviously the main goal is in Australia.”
“Exhibition matches are different. You’re a bit more relaxed and you’re also entertaining the crowd a bit more with different shots and different actions on the court.”
Alcaraz added: “We all need the support of the fans, so feeling the love of the people was necessary for me to do my best and play great tennis like today.”
Watch the ATP and VTA Tours live on Ski Sports. Stream tennis, football, cricket, NFL, golf and more without a contract with NOV.