The tennis world is abuzz with a recent divergence in perspectives between two of its rising stars, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, regarding their participation in the high-profile Saudi exhibition event, The Six Kings Slam. Both players traveled to Riyadh to compete in the event, which featured six of the world’s top players and offered an exceptionally large prize funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), now a partner with the ATP. While Sinner emphasized his focus on the opportunity to face elite competitors, Alcaraz openly admitted that the lucrative prize money was a significant motivator for his participation. This honesty from Alcaraz, juxtaposed with Sinner’s statement, has sparked conversation across the tennis community.
Sinner, known for his reserved and focused approach, insisted that his primary motivation for attending The Six Kings Slam was purely competitive, as it provided him a chance to measure his game against the world’s best. “It’s a nice prize, of course,” Sinner acknowledged, “but I went there because there were the six best players in the world. I don’t play for money, it’s simple. I could measure myself against opponents like them, and it was a nice event for me. Money is not the most important thing; I live well even without it.” His words suggest that his primary commitment remains the pursuit of athletic excellence, rather than financial gain.
The press seized upon the contrasting statements when Alcaraz addressed reporters at the Paris Rolex Masters media day, asking him to comment on Sinner’s interview. Alcaraz’s response was refreshingly candid. “If I said that I went there just to have fun or to play without thinking about money, I would be lying. It’s obvious: every person works for that too. That’s how life works,” Alcaraz stated. “I love playing tennis, and most of the time I don’t think about money. I play for love and fun, but you have to be realistic. You want to earn money. In Saudi Arabia, there was the highest prize money in history, so it was a good motivation. At least for me.”
Alcaraz’s frank admission stands in contrast to Sinner’s stance, sparking discussion about the motivations that drive elite athletes in a sport as financially demanding as tennis. While the prize money in Riyadh may have attracted considerable attention, Alcaraz’s willingness to openly acknowledge its appeal brought an unexpected level of transparency to the table. Alcaraz’s approach highlights an often unspoken reality: in professional sports, money is undeniably a factor, as it ensures not only security for the player but also a measure of success and reward for years of dedication and hard work. Alcaraz’s candidness also reflects a pragmatic understanding of the pressures that young athletes face to secure financial stability in a highly competitive field.
Though Alcaraz emphasized that money was a motivator, he was clear that his love for tennis remains central to his identity as a player. “I play for love and fun,” he shared, before adding that practicality inevitably plays a role in making decisions about where to compete. The event’s historic prize purse, funded by Saudi Arabia’s PIF, stands as one of the largest incentives ever seen in the sport, and it’s unlikely that even the most dedicated players would be entirely unaffected by it. However, Alcaraz’s candor gives insight into the unique pressures and expectations on professional players, particularly as high-stakes exhibition events continue to gain prominence in locations like Saudi Arabia.
Despite their differing statements, both Alcaraz and Sinner are united by their desire for excellence and consistent improvement on the court. The two players’ rivalry has become one of the most captivating on the ATP Tour, and 2024 has only deepened the storyline. Excluding the exhibition event in Saudi Arabia, Alcaraz holds a 3-0 record against Sinner in official ATP matches this season, having defeated the Italian in the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, the French Open, and the final of the China Open in Beijing. In addition to his success against Sinner, Alcaraz has enjoyed an exceptional season overall, securing two Grand Slam titles back-to-back at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
Nevertheless, despite Alcaraz’s impressive season and successes against his rival, Sinner has maintained an edge in the ATP rankings. Currently, there is a notable 4,300-point gap separating Sinner from Alcaraz, which Alcaraz is eager to close as he heads into the Rolex Paris Masters and the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. Reflecting on the rankings and his rivalry with Sinner, Alcaraz admitted, “Distance between me and Sinner in the rankings? It doesn’t matter that I beat Jannik three times in 2024. I probably didn’t play well in some tournaments.” His comments reflect an understanding of the consistency that elite players must strive for to maintain their positions, not only in individual match-ups but across an entire season.
Though Alcaraz has achieved a high win percentage this year, he noted that Sinner’s season has been even more remarkable. “My win percentage is really high, but Jannik is on another level this year,” Alcaraz said, acknowledging that Sinner’s win rate has exceeded 91%—a rare achievement for any player. “Few players have managed to reach this percentage before,” Alcaraz added, underscoring the respect he holds for Sinner’s accomplishments. Alcaraz’s admiration reflects the mutual drive that fuels their rivalry, as both players push each other to new levels of performance.
Alcaraz has also outlined his goals for the coming season, focusing on maintaining consistency throughout the year and avoiding early exits from tournaments. “There are tournaments where I didn’t play well, and I didn’t go far. I will try not to lose in the early rounds, as happened in some circumstances this year,” he explained. With his sights set on a strong performance in Paris-Bercy, Alcaraz is determined to close the gap and challenge Sinner’s top ranking.
The upcoming matches will provide Alcaraz with opportunities to narrow the distance between him and Sinner, beginning with his second-round match at the Paris-Bercy Masters, where he awaits the winner of Lorenzo Sonego and Nicolas Jarry. As Alcaraz and Sinner continue to push each other to new heights, their rivalry represents a fresh chapter in men’s tennis, bringing renewed energy and excitement to the ATP Tour as they both aim for sustained success.