While their rivals battle it out at warm-up events in Australia, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are starting their 2026 seasons with an exhibition match in Seoul. The young stars have formed one of the most exciting new rivalries in tennis, facing off 16 times already, and splitting the last eight Grand Slam titles. Now, they’ve teased a potential partnership.
Ahead of their friendly in South Korea on Saturday, the world Nos. 1 and 2 addressed the media, admitting they’d both be happy to team up on the doubles court in the near future. And they’ve already agreed on a strategy.
“At least once would be fun. But I think I’m playing forehand and he’s playing backhand, if my partner could agree?” world No. 1 Alcaraz said, floating the idea of a doubles match alongside his Italian rival.
Sinner was on board. “Yeah, I agree with that, for sure. I think me, backhand, you, forehand. But we have never talked about this,” he smiled.
“I think it would be fun, at least one time, to share the court in different ways, both on the same side. Of course, the schedule, we are so focused on singles that it is very difficult because if then you go deep in singles and you also have to play doubles, you don’t have the right recovery.
“But for one tournament, it’s, I think, 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, why not? It’s going to be a surprise.”
Alcaraz and Sinner ended the 2025 season by facing off in the final of the ATP Finals, where Sinner came through in two tight sets to defend his title. The world No. 2 is on a 15-match winning streak, also lifting trophies in Vienna and Paris.
Both men decided to face off in an exhibition match instead of playing one of the many tour-level events Down Under, but two-time defending Australian Open champion Sinner believes that facing Alcaraz, exhibition or not, is the best preparation for him.
“Tomorrow, in the match, we’ll try to be ready to bring a smile to everyone’s face, even though we’re already thinking about being as prepared as possible for the Australian Open. I can’t think of a better way to start the season than with this match against Carlos, we’ve had many great matches in the past,” he added.