"Playing well against him is not enough" - Alcaraz and Sinner in full praise of each other ahead of exhibition matchup in 2026

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have enjoyed numerous high calibre matches against one another, specifically last season with a number of final showdowns. They will next feature against each other in an exhibition match at the Hyundai Card Super Match in Incheon, South Korea on January 10, 2026.

The preparation for the 2026 campaign is well and truly on, with the big two poised to be challenging for the biggest titles in the sport once more. No one has come close to dethroning them or even competing regularly. This can be shown in their impressive Grand Slam form. They have shared the last eight major titles between each other while also locking horns in the prior three finals.

Some of their matchups have entertained while showcasing the skill level the pair possess. They continue to push each other on the court, attempting to get the extra step on each other. The exhibition in South Korea is set to be part one a whole host of matches in 2026.

Off the court, they do not share the tense and ferocious rivalry on the court. A number of times they have been seen together in a friendly environment, sharing casual conversations along with even practising together ahead of big tournaments such as the ATP Finals. They continued their high praise of each other when speaking to Tennis Korea.

Alcaraz looked towards the accolades the Italian had collected in 2025, lauding his as a tennis player. “Jannik and I have been on the circuit since we were young and know each other’s game perfectly," the Spaniard stated. "There is almost nothing to hide on the court. Jannik is a player virtually without weaknesses. He is powerful in attack, and his defence is incredibly fast and stable.

“He completely dominated the 2025 season, winning two Grand Slams, the ATP Finals, and staying in contention for the world No 1 spot until the end," Alcaraz continued. "Playing well against him is not enough. You have to stay focused throughout the match, and there is no room for complacency. He is a player you have to give 100% against from the first point to the last to have a chance of winning.”

Sinner continued the admiration, in awe of the six-time Grand Slam champion. “He is one of the best players on the current circuit, perhaps even the best. Playing against him is always a challenge, but it is also a lot of fun. Each match has a completely different story and pace, making it even more exciting. He is incredibly fast, so it is difficult to overpower him at any point on the court. Moreover, he is very mentally strong, playing every point as if it were the last. These are the biggest challenges I face whenever I play against him.”

Alcaraz has the upper hand over their topsy turvy rivalry, leading 10-6 over the four-time Grand Slam champion. They first met all the way back in 2021 on the ATP Circuit, facing off in a Paris Masters round-of-32 match, in which Alcaraz won. They faced off another six times before 2023, with Sinner winning four and Alcaraz clinching two wins.

From 2024, their rivalry really blew up. However, despite Sinner's emergence as a dominant force after his Australian Open title Alcaraz would go on to taste success in their next five matches. This includes three finals: the 2024 China Open before a brace of victories on clay in 2025. In Sinner's return from a doping suspension, Alcaraz defeated him in the Rome Open final before coming back from a two-set deficit and saving match points to defend his Roland Garros title in scintillating form.

Sinner extracted his revenge at Wimbledon, but succumbed to a couple of damaging defeats in the Cincinnati Open final before losing his crown at Flushing Meadows. The last matchup came in the ATP Finals final. Sinner continued his ominous indoor hardcourt form by regaining the title in Turin. Adding to these, he has also got the better of Alcaraz in their two previous exhibition clashes, both coming in the final of the Six Kings Slam. While Alcaraz still leads, there is many more twists and turns between the world number one and two.