Alcaraz v Sinner: Head-to-head, stats, all you need to know about their rivalry – updated after Six Kings Slam final
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are enjoying a fantastic rivalry that is inspiring each other to new tennis heights
What is the head to head record between Alcaraz and Sinner?
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have played each 10 times so far at ATP level, with Alcaraz having the edge at 6-4, as of October 2024.
The Spaniard leads their clashes 5-2 on hard courts and 1-0 on clay, while Sinner has won their only meeting on grass. Alcaraz leads 2-1 at Grand Slams.
They also have met once in an exhibition, playing the final of the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh in October 2024, but this does not count towards their official head-to-head.
Who won their most recent meeting?
Unofficially, their most recent meeting was at the Six Kings Slam, where Sinner beat Alcaraz 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-3 in the final. However, that was an exhibition, so their most recent meeting is still technically the China Open.
Carlos Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner 6-7 (6) , 6-4, 7-6 (3) in the final of the 2024 China Open.
Their full list of meetings (most recent first):
China Open 2024 – F (outdoor hard) Alcaraz (6-7 (6) , 6-4, 7-6 (3))
Roland-Garros 2024 – SF (outdoor clay) Alcaraz (2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3)
Indian Wells 2024 – SF (outdoor hard): Alcaraz (1-6, 6-3, 6-2)
China Open 2023 – SF (outdoor hard): Sinner (7-6 (4), 6-1)
Miami 2023 – SF (outdoor hard): Sinner (6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-2)
Indian Wells 2023 – SF (outdoor hard): Alcaraz (7-6 (4), 6-3)
US Open 2022 – QF (outdoor hard): Alcaraz (6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-7 (0), 7-5, 6-3)
Umag 2022 – F (outdoor clay): Sinner (6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-1)
Wimbledon 2022 – R4 (outdoor grass): Sinner (6-1, 6-4, 6-7 (8), 6-3)
Paris 2021 – R3 (indoor hard): Alcaraz (7-6 (1), 7-5)
What did Alcaraz and Sinner do after the China Open final?
After Alcaraz and Sinner played in the China Open final, the pair shared a private jet from Beijing to Shanghai, where they are competing in the Shanghai Masters later this week.
After landing in Shanghai, Alcaraz labelled the episode ‘weird’ but suggested this can happen only in a sport like tennis, where rivals share an amicable bond off the battleground.
“It is a weird thing but I think tennis is different than other sports because of it,” the Spaniard said. “We are fighting against each other, three-hour match, really close, he could win, at the end I got the win. And then two hours later, we are in the same plane having some laughs, making jokes, talking about life, acting like nothing happened before.
“Probably in other sports, it could be impossible to do it but I think, tennis, we have a really good relationship off the court as well. Obviously when we step on the court, we always want to win, beat the opponent. But after that, we have really good relationships with everyone so we can do it.”
Which is the best of their matches so far?
It is difficult to look further than their epic US Open quarter-final in 2022, which stretched across five sets and signalled a fierce rivalry for the new generation of male stars.
What have sinner and alcaraz said about their rivalry?
Following his victory in Beijing, Alcaraz said that when he and Sinner play, “it’s a really good thing for tennis”.
“We always show a really intense match, really close match, great points, great rallies,” Alcaraz continued.
“I think for the people who don’t watch tennis, probably thanks to these kind of matches start to watch tennis or even practice it. I think it is pretty good.
“I try to enjoy as much as I can playing against him, but it’s not easy. I’m really happy. I mean, when you’re able to beat one of the best, if not the best, tennis player in the world, obviously it seems like you’re doing the right things, you’re doing the right work.”
Sinner echoed Alcaraz’s sentiment after the China Open final, saying:
“I feel like it’s always great when we meet, no? We try to push ourselves and each other to the limits.
“He for me is a point of where I work. Today I saw couple things where I need to get better. It’s always nice to share the court with him.
“I feel like also the fans, they like it. Usually the matches are quite long, they’re physical, there are many turning points. Yeah, as I said, it’s always nice. Feel privileged and honored to share the court with him.
“As I said, we both tried to win. We tried to concentrate on every point. Having a great attitude on the court, that makes it happen that it’s a very interesting match always.”
Ahead of their clash in the 2024 Roland-Garros semi-finals, Carlos Alcaraz also spoke very highly of Jannik Sinner’s game, saying:
“You have to run like it is a marathon, side-to-side. The way that he hit the ball is unbelievable. The way he moves, it’s really, really well. He pushes you to the limit in every ball, in every point. I think he has nothing bad. Everything he does, he does it perfectly. He probably is one of the most difficult challenges that we can face in tennis right now… He’s the best player in the world.”
Alcaraz also shared about the impact of their rivalry on him as a player. “I’m glad to have him in the Tour, to have him at this level. Thanks to him, I push myself to be better, to be a better player, to give my 100 percent every day, to wake up in the morning to want to improve my game to try to beat him. So I’m grateful to have him play, and I love watching him play as well.”
Sinner has been equally full of praise with his words about Alcaraz, saying last year: “Every time we play against each other, I feel like we both try to push each other to the limit. We hate losing, especially against each other. We have a very good relationship off court – we are good friends – but on court, inside you feel a little bit nervous.”
Who has won the most prize money between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz?
Alcaraz officially has the edge in prize money over Sinner, with the Spaniard having won over $36 million as of October 20, 2024, while Sinner is at just over $29 million. However, this does not include the $6 million that the Italian recently won at the Six Kings Slam, which would take his overall tally to $35 million – just shy of Alcaraz’s.
Who has won the most titles between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz?
Sinner got his nose in front of Alcaraz this month when he won the Shanghai Masters, and now leads their title count 17-16.
Who has the better career win/loss record, Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz?
Sinner has won 255 matches and lost 80, a winning percentage of 76.1 percent, while Alcaraz has won 206 and lost 53, a winning percentage of 79.5 percent.
Are Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz friends?
Yes. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz seem to have a very healthy relationship.
At the Six Kings Slam, Sinner said: “We are, I would say, good friends, not obviously the best out of the best. We understand each other very well, we travel a lot. We also like to share every time when we go on the court, we try to enjoy.”
After his defeat to Sinner in Miami, Alcaraz reflected: “I feel something different about the crowd when I play against Jannik. You know, I think around the world is probably all the people watching this match because I think it’s really beautiful to watch.”
Sinner had earlier told the press: “I feel like he [Alcaraz] makes me a better player.”