Alcaraz & Sinner Practise Together In Villena

Carlos Alcaraz, No. 2 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, and Jannik Sinner, No. 4, shared a court Thursday at the Ferrero Tennis Academy, where they practised together in preparation for the 2024 season.

Alcaraz and Sinner, whose Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry is one of the hottest in the modern game (Sinner leads 4-3), both enjoyed a hugely successful 2023.

The Spaniard was the world No. 1 for several weeks during a season in which he claimed six ATP Tour titles, including his second Grand Slam championship at Wimbledon. 

Meanwhile, Sinner picked up four trophies, ending the year in fine form, reaching the final of the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin (l. to Novak Djokovic) before helping Italy to its second Davis Cup title in Malaga, defeating Djokovic in the semi-finals (first in singles to make the tie 1-1 against Serbia, and then in doubles alongside Lorenzo Sonego).

Sinner spent a few days in Alicante to continue his preseason preparations. The many sessions planned by his Italian team included a visit to Villena on Thursday 21 December to train with Alcaraz at the Ferrero Tennis Academy.

Thanks @janniksin for coming to train at @EqueliteFerrero! 💪🏻Great morning and a great session! Warming up for 2024! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/raQC4chixy

— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) December 21, 2023

Alcaraz was accompanied by Juan Carlos Ferrero and Samuel Lopez, the coach who will travel with him to Australia. Ferrero underwent an arthroscopy on his left knee, so he is unable to make the trip Down Under. Sinner, meanwhile, was playing under the watchful eye of Simone Vagnozzi, one of his coaches. 

As well as their fierce rivalry on the court, Alcaraz and Sinner have enjoyed a friendship for many years since first meeting in the lower categories of the circuit and later on the ATP Tour.

Both Alcaraz and Sinner will kick off their 2024 season at the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year.