Carlos Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner in straight sets, with a score of 7-5, 7-6, in the exhibition match played in Seoul, their first match of 2026 while waiting for the Australian Open which lasted just under two hours. The 15 thousand Korean spectators at the Incheon Inspire Arena highlighted with ovations and applause the many champion shots and the on-court gags between the two strongest tennis players in the world.
The game was played in a relaxed atmosphere, more like a show than a game, with Sinner raising his hand to his ear several times to solicit support from the fans. Even world number one Alcaraz, who returned to his natural platinum blonde hair color, repeatedly turned towards the stands to claim the roar of the audience. In the fifth game of the second set the blue even sat on the bench and handed over the racket to a Korean ball boy who, after hitting the first shot, surprised Alcaraz with a forehand at the top corner to the applause of Sinner and the crowd.
The «Hyundai Card Super Match», which earned Sinner and Alcaraz a participation fee of two million euros, was the 17th match between the two and the Spaniard now leads 11-6.
Alcaraz and Sinner will fly from South Korea to Australia, where the first Slam of 2026 will start on January 18.
