World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner 7-5, 7-6 in an exhibition match at Inspire Arena in Incheon on January 10, thrilling around 12,000 fans. The top two players in men's tennis expressed gratitude for the warm South Korean support as they prepare for the Australian Open.
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, aged 22, and Jannik Sinner of Italy, 24, have each claimed four Grand Slam singles titles over the past two years, dominating men's tennis. Their first match on Korean soil served as a tune-up for the Australian Open, starting January 18 in Melbourne.
Alcaraz's powerful serves and groundstrokes shone through in the 7-5, 7-6 (8-6) victory at Inspire Arena in Incheon, just west of Seoul, before about 12,000 fans. The crowd of around 12,000 to 15,000 cheered tweeners, between-the-legs shots, and finger hearts. A highlight came in the second set when Sinner handed his racket to a young South Korean boy in the front row, who even scored a point while Sinner watched from the stands. Sinner noted the boy had brought a racket bag for autographs earlier and added, "I saw him there and thought it'd be fun. He played better than me."
Post-match, Alcaraz said, "It was a real pleasure. The support and love from the fans was insane, and I'm grateful for this first experience here." Sinner echoed, "The people made us feel at home. The connection with the crowd worked very well today." Alcaraz leads their head-to-head 10-6, though this exhibition does not count. He remarked, "I wouldn't take anything from today's match," while Sinner said, "We both know exactly what to expect from each other."
Both players lamented their short trip but expressed eagerness to return. Alcaraz: "It was enough to know how kind Koreans are. I can't wait to come back, maybe even for holidays." Sinner: "Nice to see new fans in Korea—hopefully not the last time."