Jannik Sinner Presented with $250,000 Worth Golden Racket After Storming Past Carlos Alcaraz at Six Kings Slam

Jannik Sinner managed to defend his title rather easily.

Jannik Sinner Presented with $250,000 Worth Golden Racket After Storming Past Carlos Alcaraz at Six Kings Slam

Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

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Jannik Sinner, who was stripped of the No.1 ranking after being denied a second consecutive US Open title by Carlos Alcaraz, took his revenge on the Spaniard to win the jaw-dropping $6 million by defending his Six Kings Slam title. The match was not what a match between the World No.1 and World No.2 was expected to be, for it was rather a one-sided affair with Sinner breezing past Alcaraz with a 6-2, 6-4 scoreline.

Because the Riyadh exhibition is not an ATP-sanctioned event, Sinner did not win ranking points. There was also no change in the head-to-head matchups, and Sinner will continue to trail 5-10. Following the win, the four-time Grand Slam champion was presented with the golden racket, which, if reports are to be believed, is worth $250,000.

It was their sixth meeting this season after the Italian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, Cincinnati Masters, and the US Open. Since 2024, Sinner has clashed with the 22-year-old 10 times (including their two Six Kings Slam meetings). Sinner emerged victorious only thrice: at this year’s Wimbledon and in the exhibition finals.

I wish I could play like this everywhere. This season, we played many, many times, and I also lost many times to Carlos. It is a huge pleasure and honor to share the court with him. At the same time, you want to get better as a player, and you need rivalries in the sport. So it’s nice to have a great rivalry and, more importantly, a great friendship off the court. We have a very special friendship, and it’s very nice.

Jannik Sinner said during his on-court interview

The next tournament where both are likely to meet in the final is the Paris Masters, which will be crucial for their rankings, as Sinner doesn’t have any points to defend, but Alcaraz won’t be defending much, as he lost in the third round last year. Before Paris, Sinner will be playing the Vienna Open and will lock horns with Daniel Altmaier in the opening round.

Before the Six Kings Slam, the six-time Grand Slam champion clinched the Japan Open by beating Taylor Fritz and ended up skipping the Shanghai Masters because of an ankle injury he suffered during his debut match in Tokyo. While Sinner did play the Shanghai Masters, cramps forced him to retire mid-match in the third round.

Alejandro Tabilo reflects on his match against Jannik Sinner

Alejandro Tabilo played Jannik Sinner just once, in the fourth round of last year’s Canadian Open. During The Tennis Vibes podcast, the Chilean ace reflected on his match and shared what the 24-year-old did that surprised him the most.

Jannik Sinner US Open 2025
Jannik Sinner (image via X/Jannik Sinner)

Sinner didn’t surprise me with his ball speed in absolute terms, but for another aspect: it’s normal that he has a higher average pace than everyone else, but it’s phenomenal how he maintains it both throughout the match and when moving away from the center. I remember trying to make him move, and I was getting blasted with shots even when he was at the sides of the court; for him, it makes no difference, and in this, he’s incredible.

Tabilo will also be at the Vienna Open and will kick-start his campaign against eighth seed Alexander Bublik. He will meet the South Tyrol native if both of them reach the quarterfinals.

After Vienna and Paris, Sinner will be heading to Turin for the ATP Finals to bid for his title defense. Sinner so far has won three titles from seven official finals, including the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Before Shanghai, he claimed his second China Open trophy by sweeping past Learner Tien.

Also read: Novak Djokovic Admits his 2025 Season has not Been Fully Satisfying