To the surprise of the tennis fans, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have landed in Melbourne together, sharing the same flight. Prior to Melbourne, they featured in a lucrative exhibition event in Incheon, South Korea, entertaining the spectators and the tennis world in general with not just their on-court performance but also with their 'bromance'.
At the South Korea exhibition, Sinner lost in straight sets. But more than their match, fans were elated to see how the two interacted with each other; the fans also laughed at their struggle to pronounce 'annyeonghaseyo' (hello in Korean).
When the rest of the tour was preparing for the Australian Open, Sincaraz danced, wore hanbok (traditional Korean dress), and, as expected, also made the Korean heart gesture (by crossing the index finger and the thumb). During their flight to Melbourne, however, they slept most of the time and didn't talk much. And right after their arrival, they were questioned by the media.
Yes, it's great to be back. We both were sleeping quite a lot; we haven't chatted so much, but it's great, you know, to have both teams in the same plane. It was good.
Jannik Sinner saidSinner and Alcaraz wasted no time in starting their preparation for the Australian Open, the main draw of which starts on January 18. The former will be aiming for the three-peat and become the second man in the Open Era to achieve it after Novak Djokovic. Alcaraz's goal will be to become the youngest man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam by surpassing Rafael Nadal, who accomplished this feat at 24.
What I think is, we push each other, you know, to be better. So I think that's what I keep from, you know, good rivalry. I think everybody needs someone that pushes you to be better, to give your 100 percent, and I think that's what we are doing, you know, every time.
Carlos Alcaraz saidIn their head-to-head matchups, Sinner trails 6-10. They met six times last year (all in finals), with the Italian lifting titles at Wimbledon and the ATP Finals, losing at the Italian Open, French Open, Cincinnati Masters, and the US Open.
Carlos Alcaraz doesn't boast a great result in Melbourne by his own standards. Although he has won each of the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open twice, he has never played the semifinals at Melbourne Park. Twice, he suffered quarterfinal exits: in 2024, he lost to Alexander Zverev in four sets, while in 2025, he lost to Novak Djokovic in four sets.
Upon his arrival in Melbourne, the six-time Grand Slam champion was asked by the media how badly he wants to beat two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner in the first Major of the season.
Oh, I will try, obviously! But you know, we will see how it's gonna be. Three amazing weeks ahead of us, if it is three. But, you know, that's what both of us are here for, you, to try to do a good result, good stuff here. So let's see what it's going to be.
Carlos Alcaraz told reportersSinner, in the previous two editions of the tournament, defeated Daniil Medvedev and Zverev in the finals of the Australian Open. Last year, he made the finals of all four Majors and the ATP Finals, becoming the youngest man in the Open Era to do so.
Since 2024, only Sinner and Alcaraz have won the Majors, with Djokovic being the last player other than them to clinch a title of this level (at the 2023 US Open). Last year, Sinner and Alcaraz lifted a combined 14 titles from 22 finals.
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