Published: 16:09, October 20, 2024
Sinner hopes for long rivalry with Alcaraz
By Reuters
Italy's Jannik Sinner (left) poses with the winner's trophy next to Spain's Carlos Alcaraz during the awards ceremony after their final tennis match in the "6 Kings Slam" exhibition tournament in Riyadh on Oct 19, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

The rivalry between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the world's two highest-ranked players, brings out the best in both, Sinner said on Saturday after beating Alcaraz in the final of the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Saudi Arabia.

Sinner, who won 6-7(5) 6-3 6-3 to bag the $6 million title, said he hoped for a long rivalry with Alcaraz, after Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic faced off for the final time in the third-place match earlier in the day.

ALSO READ: Nadal to battle Djokovic one last time at Saudi exhibition

"I wake up in the morning trying to understand the ways how to beat him. This kind of rivalries, this kind of players, they push us always to our 100 percent," world number one Sinner said in a post-match interview.

Italy's Jannik Sinner hits a return to Spain's Carlos Alcaraz during their final tennis match in the "6 Kings Slam" exhibition tournament in Riyadh on Oct 19, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

"Hopefully this rivalry will last as long as possible. But there are so many other great players who can jump in ... let's see what's coming in the future," the 23-year-old said.

READ MORE: Courting success as new era emerges

Italy's Sinner and Spain's Alcaraz have won two Grand Slams each this year, with Alcaraz beating Sinner in closely fought clashes at the French Open semi-finals and the China Open final.

ALSO READ: Shanghai Masters ushers in new era

The off-the-court friends have played each other 10 times on the ATP tour, with 21-year-old Alcaraz winning six matches, including the last three.

"I will do everything so that this rivalry gets better and better ... I am happy to share the court with him," four-times Grand Slam winner Alcaraz said.