Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner opened up about the idea of playing doubles together during a press conference ahead of their exhibition match in South Korea. The world’s top two players face off Saturday in the Hyundai Card Super Match at the Inspire Arena in Incheon, their only tune-up before the Australian Open begins January 18 in Melbourne.
Both men showed interest in sharing the court as partners rather than opponents. Sinner, ranked number two, called it an appealing option despite the challenges. “I think it would be fun at least one time to share the court in different ways, on the same side,” he said. He pointed to the demanding singles schedule as a hurdle, noting that deep runs in tournaments leave little energy for doubles. Still, he left the door open. “For one tournament I think it’s great to do it, and we’re going to talk about it maybe this year at a certain time where we feel like, or next year.”
Alcaraz, the 22-year-old world number one, agreed. He admitted the thought had come to him before. “At least once would be fun,” he said. He even suggested how they might line up. “I think I’m playing forehand and he’s playing backhand.”
The pair dominated men’s tennis in 2025, splitting all four Grand Slam titles. Alcaraz took the French Open and US Open, while Sinner claimed the Australian Open and Wimbledon. They met in every major final that year, building a rivalry that echoes the era of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
Sinner stressed that he and Alcaraz aim to forge their own path. “We want to make our own story,” the 24-year-old said. He won six titles in 2025, even after serving a three-month doping suspension. “What the big three has done, we cannot compare ourselves with them, and we also don’t want to. We are just ourselves.”
Alcaraz has spoken out against the crowded calendar in the past. He skipped the Shanghai Masters last fall due to physical problems. He views the trip to South Korea as smart preparation for Melbourne, where he has yet to reach the semifinals. “Coming here for two, three days, keep preparing, keep getting yourself ready for the new season, I think it was a great idea,” he said. “I’m just really happy that I’m able to do this event, this match with Jannik.”
Fans packed the press conference and a table tennis session that followed, showing the growing appeal of Alcaraz and Sinner in Asia. Their exhibition sold out the 15,000-seat arena quickly. Reports indicate each player stands to earn around two million euros for the appearance, a figure close to the Australian Open champion’s prize.
As the new season starts, their comments on doubles add another layer to a friendship that thrives amid fierce competition. Alcaraz holds a 10-6 edge in their head-to-head record. Saturday’s match gives them a chance to test form on hard courts before the year’s first major.
The idea of them teaming up remains hypothetical for now, tied to schedule demands and recovery needs. Yet both players sounded willing if the right opportunity arises. Sinner called any potential pairing a “surprise.” For fans, the prospect of seeing the top two on the same side offers a fresh twist in an already compelling rivalry.
Alcaraz and Sinner continue to push each other while maintaining mutual respect off the court. Their 2025 battles produced some of the year’s best matches, and 2026 looks set to deliver more. The Australian Open draw could put them on a collision course again, with Alcaraz chasing his first title there and Sinner defending his crown.
