The season is off to a good start for Carlos Alcaraz. Opposed to his great rival Jannik Sinner this Saturday morning as part of an exhibition match – the “Hyundai Card Super Match” – organized in Incheon (South Korea), the world number one won in two sets for his first outing of the season (7-5, 7-6 [6]).
If the two men put on a show, alternating between serious exchanges and more offbeat moments, like when Sinner let a young child take his place on the court, the interest in this resumption match was not really sporting for the bosses of the ATP circuit.
Indeed, the simple participation in this match in South Korea earned the two players a check for 2.3 million dollars each (4.6 million dollars in total), or 1.97 million euros. A staggering sum, since it is greater than that promised to the winner of the 2026 Australian Open (January 12-February 1). The big winner of the first Grand Slam lift of the season will receive 1.8 million euros, which constitutes a record prize money for the Australian Major.
“A wonderful experience”
All in 1h48, the time it took Alcaraz to dominate his Italian opponent this Saturday. “It was a great experience,” admitted the winner of the day after the game. “I really loved playing in South Korea. The public gave us incredible energy. I had a great time and I hope to come back one day,” he said. Shared pleasure for Sinner despite the defeat: “It’s very pleasant to start the year by sharing the court with Alcaraz. »
After an extremely dominated 2025 season, the two ogres of the ATP circuit should find themselves in a much more serious context in Melbourne in a week. As a reminder, the last three men’s Grand Slam finals have opposed Alcaraz and Sinner with a record of two victories to one for the Spaniard.
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