Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz Reveal If They’ll Play Doubles Ahead of South Korea Exhibition: “It’s Gonna Be a Surprise”
Jannik Sinner trails 6-10 in the head-to-head matchups against arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz.
Follow Us
Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)
🔍 Explore this post with:
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have landed in Incheon for the much-awaited exhibition event, set to be held on January 10. It will be their third encounter in an unofficial event since the 2024 season, following their clashes in the finals of the first two editions of the Six Kings Slam, the results of which ended in Sinner’s favor.
At the press conference before the match, Alcaraz was asked whether he had ever considered joining forces with Sinner for doubles. Alcaraz joked that playing doubles would depend on how they position themselves on the court.
At least once would be fine. But I think I’m playing forehand and he’s playing backhand, if my partner agrees [points at Jannik].
Carlos Alcaraz said
The Spaniard and the Italian locked horns six times last year, including thrice in Grand Slam finals. After defeating Sinner in the Italian Open final, Alcaraz scheduled his career’s first Grand Slam final against the World No.2 at Roland Garros, which saw him eke out a five-set win after saving three match points. Later, they met in the finals of Wimbledon, Cincinnati Masters, the US Open, and the ATP Finals.
Yeah, I agree on that for sure. We have never talked about this, but I think it would be fun at least one time to share the court in different ways, on the same side. Of course, the schedule, we are so focused on singles that it is very difficult. If you go deep in singles, but then you also have to play doubles, you don’t have the right recovery. For one tournament, it’d be great to do it. We’re going to talk about it. Maybe this year, or next year, it’s gonna be a surprise.
Jannik Sinner said
Sinner won just two matches he played against the six-time Grand Slam champion last year (Wimbledon and the ATP Finals). After the South Korea exhibition, they will start their 2026 campaign at the Australian Open.
Jannik Sinner receives high praise from Brad Gilbert
Jannik Sinner often gets called ‘Novak Djokovic 2.0’ because of their similar playing styles. During Tennis Channel’s The Big T Podcast, Coco Gauff‘s former coach, Brad Gilbert, who backed Sinner to play consistently this season as well, said the 24-year-old is a combination of three legends of the game- Djokovic, Andre Agassi, and Pete Sampras.
You put Andre [Agassi] and Novak Djokovic in the blender, you come up with Sinner. And yet he’s a lot more methodical on the court, like a Pete Sampras. He’s very unflappable.
Brad Gilbert said
Last year, Sinner lost just six matches, four of which were at the hands of Carlos Alcaraz. The other two he lost to Alexander Bublik at the Halle Open and to Tallon Griekspoor at the Shanghai Masters.
He finished the 2025 season with six titles from 10 finals, including the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the ATP Finals. Sinner became the youngest man in the Open Era to reach the finals of all four Majors and the ATP Finals in the same calendar year.
At the Australian Open, Sinner will be bidding to win three consecutive titles. If he wins, he will become the second man in the Open Era to achieve this, following Djokovic, who last won the Melbourne title in 2023 by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion last won a Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open and since then, has made just one Major final, at the 2024 Wimbledon, losing to Alcaraz, whose goal in Melbourne will be to complete the Career Grand Slam. At the French Open this year, Sinner will be aiming to complete the Career Grand Slam.
/techfirstnow/media/agency_attachments/kATjCXskQdJKkXN0OuqW.png)