Alcaraz – Sinner, act I! After having hosted the 2025 tennis season and having authoritatively shared the four Grand Slam lifts, the two best players on the planet will meet for the first time of the year on a court this Saturday, January 10 (8 a.m. in France). But contrary to usual, it will not be to compete in a final or a new title but a “simple” gala match.
While they decided not to participate in preparation tournaments before the Australian Open (from January 18 to February 1), the two best enemies on the circuit agreed to meet for an exhibition match in South Korea called “Hyundai Card Super Match”.
“Coming here for two, three days, continuing to prepare for the season that is starting, it was a great idea,” said Carlos Alcaraz, who parted ways with his historic coach Juan Carlos Ferrero in mid-December, at a press conference.
A “great idea” to repeat the scales and above all a nice check to boot. According to the Italian media Gazzetta dello Sport, the world number 1 (Alcaraz) and his runner-up in the ranking will pocket the trifle of almost two million euros each (1.98 million euros more precisely or around 2.3 million dollars) to participate in the event at the Inspire Arena.
The public will also have to take out their checkbook to enjoy it. According to the site dedicated to the match, the price of tickets ranges from 162 euros (275,000 South Korean won) to more than 2,000 euros (3,500,000 South Korean won).
Alcaraz and Sinner ready to team up in doubles for a tournament
Furthermore, during the press conference on Friday, the two tenors of the circuit said they were ready to join forces one day to play a doubles match, the Italian Jannik Sinner promising to discuss it again “this year or next year” with his great Spanish rival.
“I think it would be fun to share the court in a different way, playing on the same side at least for once,” said Sinner, who will try to win a third title in a row at the Australian Open at the end of January.
“Of course, the schedule” is dense “and we are so focused on singles that it is very difficult” to find time to play such a doubles match, he continued.
“But if it’s for just one tournament, that would be great. We’ll talk about it maybe this year, if we feel it at some point, or next year,” Sinner said.
The idea of playing doubles alongside his great rival crossed Alcaraz’s mind “once or twice”, said the Spaniard. “It would be fun to make it happen at least once,” he continued, anticipating that he would then play on the forehand side and that Sinner would take care of the backhand side.
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