Alcaraz’s impressive debut: Defeats big rival Sinner to win a super match

Seoul: Carlos Alcaraz defeated his arch-rival Jannik Sinner 7-5, 7-6 (8) to win the Hyundai Card Super Match exhibition event in Incheon, South Korea, on Saturday. It was a season-opening affair for the world’s top two men’s tennis players.
There wasn’t much difference between the two during the thrilling contest, with world number one Alcaraz taking the lead at the end of both sets to secure the victory.
Alcaraz said, “We all need the support of the fans. So, feeling their support and love was important for me to perform at my best and play great tennis like I did today.”
In his press conference on Friday, Sinner said that this match wouldn’t be a true indicator of their level in the new season, and that both players would focus on entertaining the crowd.
It was a promise they fulfilled, as the mostly light-hearted exchanges, unsurprisingly, lacked the intensity of their previous encounters on the sport’s biggest stage.
The duo mixed up their games with a number of trick shots and engaged in several memorable rallies that kept fans at the Inspire Arena on the edge of their seats, including Sinner letting a child in the stands play a point for him in the second set.
It was an entertaining performance from both players, who are no strangers to putting on a show at exhibition events.
Sinner and Alcaraz participated in the Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament in Riyadh in 2024 and 2025, with the Italian player winning the final on both occasions.
Alcaraz has defended his decision to play in such lucrative events, although he previously stated that he would consider skipping ATP Tour events to prioritize his health amid a crowded schedule, saying they offer a respite from the fatigue of the tour.
The Spaniard also acknowledged the significant financial benefits of playing in exhibition events, saying the prize money was a motivation for him to play in the Six Kings Slam last year.

With the exhibition matches over, serious business begins for Sinner and Alcaraz, who will now turn their attention to the Australian Open.

Both have a lot at stake in the season’s first Grand Slam, which begins on January 18 at Melbourne Park, with Sinner aiming for a third consecutive Australian Open title and Alcaraz aiming for a career Grand Slam.

“It was an entertaining match, that’s why we came here, and obviously the main goal now is Australia,” Sinner said.

“At the end of the day, exhibition matches are different; you’re a little more relaxed and you’re trying to entertain the crowd a little more with different shots and different actions on the court.”