Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner to play doubles together? Here's what they said
(Courtesy : @carlosalcaraz/Twitter)
“Sincaraz” is the fan nickname for Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Tennis fans received a tantalizing hint of what’s to come when the world’s top two men’s players, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, playfully floated the idea of teaming up in doubles ahead of their season-opening exhibition match in Incheon, South Korea.
The currently ranked World No. 1 Alcaraz and No. 2 Sinner are the best ATP players from the current generation by a massive margin. They have dominated tennis over the past few years, winning the previous eight Slams amongst themselves.
Collectively dubbed “Sincaraz”, the pair will now prepare for the Hyundai Card Super Match at Inspire Arena on January 10, as just days before the Australian Open, the fierce rivals showed their friendly side during a January 9 press conference in Seoul, followed by a lighthearted table tennis session in front of hundreds of fans.
The duo have always shared excellent camaraderie, both on and off the field. While they’re top singles players, during a pre-event conference in Seoul, Alcaraz and Sinner were questioned if they would like to play doubles together, in the same team.
“It was once or twice we thought about it. But being singles players and playing so many matches, tournament after tournament in a row, it’s really difficult to play doubles sometimes. At least once would be fine. But I think I play forehand and he (Sinner) plays backhand”, stated Alcaraz.
“I think it would be fun at least one time to share the court in different ways, on the same side. We are going to talk about it maybe this year. Or next year, why not? It’s going to be a surprise!”, added Sinner, agreeing with Alcaraz’s suggestion.
The pair also reflected on their rivalry and place in tennis history, emphasizing they want to carve their own legacy beyond comparisons to the “Big Three” of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic.
Sinner said: “We have a great rivalry… We want to make our own story… I’m happy to be part of this two at the moment. There are many great other players and if we drop just a little bit, they’re going to take our place. It’s great to have him to push me to the limit.”
While the demanding singles schedule makes a full-time doubles commitment unlikely, both expressed enthusiasm for at least one joint appearance. If it happens, it would be a historic moment as two No. 1 and No. 2-ranked players teaming up is rare and would electrify fans worldwide.
Also Read: Carlos Alcaraz tops Jannik Sinner in their rivalry in ATP 2025 season
Alcaraz and Sinner will start their 2026 season in South Korea
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner kick off their 2026 tennis season with a highly anticipated exhibition match on January 10 at the Inspire Arena in Incheon, South Korea.
This clash marks their first on-court appearance of the year, coming after a nearly two-month break since their dramatic ATP Finals final in late 2025, where Sinner emerged victorious.
Opting out of traditional warm-up tournaments, World No. 1 Alcaraz and No. 2 Sinner chose this high-profile, low-pressure friendly to sharpen their game ahead of the Australian Open starting January 18. With this being their only warm-up ahead of AO, this clash holds massive importance for both players.
The financial incentive underscores the match’s prestige, with reports indicating each player earns approximately €2 million (around $2.3 million) in appearance fees, surpassing the Australian Open runner-up prize and nearing the champion’s cheque, despite no official ranking points being on offer.
What is “Sincaraz”?
“Sincaraz” is the fan nickname for Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, combining their names as the two dominant players of their generation.
Why were Alcaraz and Sinner talking about playing doubles?
During a press conference in Seoul ahead of their exhibition match, both players were asked if they would like to play doubles together. They said it would be fun to try at least once, though their busy singles schedules make it difficult.
What did Alcaraz say about a potential doubles partnership?
Alcaraz said they had thought about it before and joked that he would play the forehand side while Sinner takes the backhand, adding that playing doubles together at least once would be special.
What was Sinner’s reaction?
Sinner agreed and said it would be exciting to share the court on the same side. He hinted it could happen this year or next, calling it a “surprise” for fans.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.