The stage in Riyadh had all the shine of a Grand Slam, even if the stakes weren’t official. The Six Kings Slam might be an exhibition, but when Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner face off, nothing feels friendly. Coming in, Alcaraz led their rivalry 10-5 and looked relaxed, but Sinner had other plans. After a tough U.S. Open loss last month, the Italian promised to bounce back, and did exactly that.
Under the bright lights of The Venue, Sinner put on a clinic. He broke early, ripped winners from both sides, and cruised to a 6-2, 6-4 victorythat silenced the crowd. Alcaraz, who thrives on rhythm and energy, just couldn’t find either. When the final ball flew long, Sinner lifted the gold racket in triumph while Alcaraz smiled through the frustration.
Asked later if he enjoyed the challenge, Alcaraz didn’t hesitate. “Not really,” he said, laughing. “Sometimes it seems like he’s playing ping pong. It’s not funny being on the other side of the net.”
Sinner’s Level Pushes Alcaraz to His Limits
For a match that didn’t count toward rankings, it revealed plenty. Sinner’s confidence was sky-high; his serve and baseline control left little room for counter-punching. Alcaraz managed flashes of brilliance but struggled to make inroads, facing pressure almost every service game.
Despite the frustration, the Spaniard showed perspective afterward. “When he plays like that, it gives me motivation,” Alcaraz said. “He’s annoying sometimes, but he pushes me to give my 100% in practice and keep improving.”
That balance between irritation and admiration has defined their growing rivalry. As seen in their duels at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, Sinner and Alcaraz bring out the best (and the worst) in each other.
The Riyadh result doesn’t alter ATP rankings, but it does shift momentum heading into the indoor season. Analysts at The Independent and Olympics.com noted that Sinner’s consistency has tightened their rivalry, suggesting a new psychological edge for the Italian.
For Alcaraz, this was a reminder that even exhibitions can sting. His honesty afterward, though, shows why he remains one of tennis’s most grounded superstars. Losing to Sinner might not hurt his record, but it clearly lit a spark.
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