Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner linked up recently to train together in a surprising crossover. On a trip to Spain, the Italian visited the Juan Carlos Ferrero Tennis Academy in Villena, where the World No.2 practices. Their session together went against what legends like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have said about being close and training with your primary rivals.
Media reports in Italy previously reported that Sinner and Alcaraz would play an exhibition game in the latter’s home country before Christmas. However, as it turns out, the prodigious duo connected only to practice together. With the 2024 season on the horizon, Alcaraz and Sinner took to the court in the academy run by the Spaniard’s coach.
Ferrero was present as Alcaraz exchanged shots with Sinner. However, the former World No.1 will not be travelling to the 2024 Australian Open with the 20-year-old because of health issues. Sinner’s coach Simone Vagnozzi, the ATP Coach of the Year alongside Darren Cahill, attended the session with the World No.4. After the practice, both players shared posts on Instagram, thanking each other.
The pair evidently had a good time training with each other. Their session dispelled what Federer and Djokovic believed about being friends and practising with rivals.
In a recent interview, the Serb revealed he is not close with Federer or Rafael Nadal.
He said rivals cannot be friends during their playing years because of the competition between them. Similarly, Federer disclosed he stopped training with his Big 3 rivals since he feared they would understand his ‘secrets’ (via Express).
Regardless of what the legends believe, Alcaraz and Sinner seem to be good friends despite being immediate competitors. However, they are still young with nascent careers. Only in 2023 did Sinner break through and establish himself as an elite contender.
Federer and Djokovic shared their opinions after over a decade of rivalry. Their experience cannot be discounted. Hence, it would not be a surprise if Sinner and Alcaraz also grow apart in the coming years as their competition gets more intense.
Alcaraz and Sinner are considered the future flagbearers of tennis. While the former already has two Grand Slams and multiple records to his name, the Italian announced himself as a top-tier player with an immense season in 2023. It is not uncommon for elite athletes to be on frosty terms with their primary rivals. The young stars, though, seem close.
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