Feliciano Lopez suggests the tournament where he really wants to see Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner play each other

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Feliciano Lopez has a big hope for the Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner rivalry in 2026.

Alcaraz and Sinner have dominated the ATP Tour over the past two years, sharing all eight Grand Slam titles between them.

The most recent of their matches took place in Turin, with Sinner beating Alcaraz to win the ATP Finals.

While they have played some big matches this year, including three Grand Slam finals, Lopez wants them to play at another tournament for the first time.

Feliciano Lopez wants Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner to play at the Davis Cup next year

Both Alcaraz and Sinner finished their season at the ATP Finals this year, as neither competed at the Davis Cup Finals.

Sinner had already decided to skip the Davis Cup Finals, while Alcaraz’s withdrawal was forced after suffering a hamstring injury.

Former world number 12 Lopez is the tournament director for the Davis Cup Finals, and he has told La Gazetta dello Sport that he is hoping for them to play each other in the final of the event next year.

“This rivalry is a blessing for tennis,” said Lopez. “After the Big Three era and the retirements of [Roger] Federer and [Rafael] Nadal, they arrived. We’re incredibly lucky to have them. They’re not just two great champions: it’s the contrast in their playing styles and personalities that makes this duel special.

“I hope to have them both in Bologna next year. It would be a great moment, I’d say unique, for their rivalry: playing the final at Roland Garros or the US Open wouldn’t be the same as facing each other in the Davis Cup final, on one of their home turfs, with everyone cheering them on.”

Had they both competed in the tournament this year, Alcaraz and Sinner would have met in the final, where Italy beat Spain to win the Davis Cup.

Feliciano Lopez says if the Davis Cup could reintroduce ranking points

There has been a lot of criticism of the Davis Cup in recent years, and Alcaraz has called for the event to be every two years.

Lopez has been strong in his defence of the Davis Cup, and he has now been asked if the event would consider reintroducing ranking points to incentivise the likes of Alcaraz and Sinner to compete.

Ranking points were rewarded for competing in the Davis Cup between 2009 and 2015, but are no longer part of the event.

Despite being questioned over whether it would be possible to bring them back, Lopez is not a fan of the idea.

“I’ve never supported this proposal, and I’m not saying this as the Davis Cup director, but as a former player,” responded Lopez. “When they did it with the ATP Cup, I disagreed.

“In team competitions, it’s not fair to award ranking points. When you play Davis Cup, you have to do it for the pleasure of representing your country, not for the points or the money.”

Although there are no signs of ranking points returning to the event, the Davis Cup have already confirmed a change for 2026.

The first round of Davis Cup Qualifiers will take place in February next year, featuring nations including the USA, Serbia, Great Britain, France and Australia, with Italy receiving an automatic bye to the Finals.