The epic rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner took centre stage on the ATP Tour in the 2025 season.

The ATP superstars met six times on the court last year, and all six of their meetings arrived in finals. It was thrilling for fans of the sport and indeed Alcaraz and Sinner, but unfortunately the situation has not been repeated in the 2026 season.

With injuries massively impacting both players, the duo have been limited to a single meeting this year. Fittingly, it arrived in the final of the ATP Masters 1000 Monte Carlo back in April.

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The only match between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in 2026

Alcaraz was world number one when he made it to the final in Monte Carlo, where his old nemesis Sinner awaited. And it was the Italian who emerged victorious, claiming the title with a very hard-fought 7-6(7-5), 6-3 victory after two hours and 15 minutes.

Sinner replaced Alcaraz as the ATP number one after that battle, during which both players struggled to deal with the windy conditions. Such conditions undoubtedly played a role in the pair committing 83 unforced errors between them.

The clay-court tussle was their first on the surface since their unforgettable encounter in the final of the 2025 French Open. Back then, they played out the longest Roland Garros final ever at five hours and 29 minutes, with Alcaraz winning 4-6, 6-7(4-7), 6-4, 7-6(7-3), 7-6(10-2).

Returning to Monte Carlo this year, the Italian clinched his fourth successive ATP Masters 1000 title, and his third of 2026. He previously lifted the trophies in Paris, Indian Wells and Miami, and went on to do the same in Madrid and Rome.

Since then, Sinner has decided to end his season because of a knee injury, while Alcaraz has only just returned following a lengthy absence because of a wrist injury. But despite their issues, they will each end the 2026 season with one Grand Slam title to their names.

Alcaraz won the Australian Open and Sinner won Wimbledon, while their German rival Alexander Zverev emerged victorious at the French Open and the US Open. Zverev will end the year as number one thanks to his fantastic efforts on the court. Tennis needs its major rivalries, and it’s fair to say that Alcaraz versus Sinner is the biggest, so here’s hoping their epic head-to-head reignites itself in 2027.