Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos alcaraz 6-2, 6-4 at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, avenging his loss to Alcaraz in the US Open final.
The victory marks Sinner’s second consecutive win at the exhibition event and comes after Alcaraz recently surpassed him as the world number one following the September Grand Slam. The match showcased a dominant performance by Sinner, solidifying a compelling rivalry with the young Spanish star.
Sinner secured a considerable $6 million (£4.5m) prize, comprised of $4.5 million (£3.4m) in winnings and a $1.5 million (£1.1m) participation fee. The Six Kings Slam, a high-profile exhibition, offered a notable financial reward to the competitors.
Alcaraz acknowledged Sinner’s superior play, stating, “He was just too good.” Sinner quickly established control, breaking Alcaraz’s serve in the opening game and securing the first set with clinical serving.
The decisive moment in the second set came with a break in the seventh game,propelling Sinner to victory. Throughout the 2024 season, the pair have frequently faced each other, with Alcaraz previously holding the upper hand.
“I wish I could play like this everywhere,” Sinner commented after the match. “This season we played many, many times and I also lost many times to Carlos. It is a huge pleasure and honor to share the court with him.”
Sinner emphasized the importance of their competitive dynamic, adding, “At the same time, you want to get better as a player and you need rivalries in the sport. So it’s nice to have a great rivalry and more importantly a great friendship off the court. We have a very special friendship and it’s very nice.”
