World No’s 1 & 2 to face off in South Korea

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will play an exhibition match at the Inspire Arena in Incheon in South Korea in January, organisers said today.

The Hyundai Car Super Match will take place on January 10, eight days before the first grand slam of 2026 begins at Melbourne Park.

Alcaraz leads their head-to-head, with 10 victories to Sinner’s five.

Sinner and Alcaraz have won nine of the past 10 major titles and faced each other in the title decider at last month’s Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament in Riyadh, the Italian walking away with US$6 million.

Sinner faced criticism in Italy following his lucrative sojourn in Riyadh and then choosing not to represent his country, and reigning champions, in the upcoming  Final 8 of the Davis Cup in Bologna  on 18-23  November  “to prepare for the Australian Open”

The legendary 92-year-old Nicola Pietrangeli, a two-time French Open winner who was Italy’s most successful player until Sinner came along: “It’s a big slap in the face to the Italian sports world.”

Adding “So you’re not going to return to Riyadh for another $6 million? If you win another Wimbledon, you won’t go to London anymore?

Pasta, coffee … Every five minutes you promote an Italian product. Do it with tennis, too,” the Gazzetta editorial said, referring to the multiple Italian brands that Sinner represents in TV and other advertisements.

The organisers of the South Korean event have yet to announce the appearance money.

Main photo:- Carlos Alcaraz with Coupe des Mousquetaires after beating Jannik Sinner in five set thriller, the longest ever Roland Garros Men’s Final – by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos