Carlos Alcaraz Strikes First as Epic Rivalry Resumes in 2026
Locker Room
January 10, 2026
Carlos Alcaraz landed the first psychological blow of the year on his arch rival Jannik Sinner.
A fun-filled match in South Korea was worth an astonishing £1.7 million to each man. And behind all the laughs, the two greats of the game were quietly assessing each other’s New Year form.
They did get openly competitive at times – and that’s when the Spaniard came out on top.
Carlitos broke at the very end of the first. And he bounced back from set point to take the second in the breaker. That timely ruthlessness enabled him to stroll away the 7-5, 7-6 (8-6) victor.
Carlos Alcaraz against Jannik Sinner will be a much more serious affair if they meet in the final at Wimbledon 2026. You can be sure of that.
The Seoul showdown won’t count on their head-to-heads. And Alcaraz might feel a little wistful about that.
Sinner never loses indoors – but he did this time. Just as well for the Italian that his defeat won’t show on any official records.
If there was anything significant to be taken from this match, it will be fresh confidence for Alcaraz that he can threaten Sinner at the Australian Open.
Jannik will still start as favourite there – and he will try to write this one off as a lucrative piece of theatre in the Far East.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will look to provide far more authentic sporting theatre on Centre Court at Wimbledon 2026.
This one felt like a circus at times. There was the “battle of the angles” as the pair stood off court and tried to clear the net repeatedly from crazy places.
One shot directed straight down the court from either man would have ended it. But they are entertainers and kept the rally going as long as they could.
It was a similar story during a “slice-war” rally that seemed never-ending until Sinner finally made a mistake.
And Jannik couldn’t stop laughing after he sat out one point so that a young Korean boy could take on Alcaraz. The kid actually won the impromptu exchange – to everyone’s amazement.
Carlos Alcaraz took it all in good heart. And his sparkling personality will make him such an adored figure at Wimbledon 2026.
But Jannik Sinner is reigning champion on the Grand Slam grass. Last summer’s Wimbledon earned him new respect. Will he prevail once more?
And will you be there to watch all the Wimbledon drama unfold in a uniquely historic setting in a few months’ time?
Get in touch and we’ll secure your tickets for the greatest sporting show on earth – Wimbledon 2026!
And then just sit back and enjoy the Aussie Open – the perfect curtain-raiser for all the tennis treats that lie ahead.