PICTURE: Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner catch the same flight hours after China Open final; share a sweet moment together as they travel to Shanghai

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are inseparable in China. Hours after the duo treated the tennis world to a blockbuster final at the 2024 China Open, the arch-rivals traveled together to Shanghai for their next tournament.

Alcaraz dethroned defending champion Sinner in the ATP 500 final in Beijing on Wednesday, October 1. The rollercoaster clash went the Spaniard’s way in the final set tiebreak, with the score reading 6-7 (6), 6-4, 7-6 (3).

This was the 10th chapter in the pair’s buzzing rivalry and the third of the season. With the win, Alcaraz extended his head-to-head lead to 6-4. This was also just their second career final against each other, with Sinner winning the first at the 2022 Croatia Open.

Interestingly, despite sharing the court in what turned out to be the longest men's singles match in the China Open's history, lasting three hours and 21 minutes, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz spent more time together. The arch-rivals and their teams boarded the same private jet to Shanghai, with Sinner’s coach, Simone Vagnozzi, sharing the sweet moment on social media.

Check the picture below:

Sinner's coach Simone Vagnozzi on Instagram

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"It's a really good thing for tennis" – What Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner said about their rivalry after China Open 2024 final

Jannik Sinner (center left) and Carlos Alcaraz (center right) pictured at the 2024 China Open - Image Source: Getty

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner were appreciative of each other following their China Open final meeting. The pair, who share a pleasant bond off the court, also touched upon their fiery on-court rivalry.

During his post-final press conference, Sinner highlighted how the two challenge each other.

"I feel like it's always great when we meet, no? We try to push ourself and each other to the limits. He for me is a point of where I work," the World No. 1 said.

"It's always nice to share the court with him. I feel like also the fans, they like it. Usually the matches are quite long, they're physical, there are many turning points," he added. "Yeah, as I said, it's always nice. Feel privileged and honored to share the court with him."

Carlos Alcaraz responded in kind, noting that their rivalry brings new fans to tennis.

"When Jannik and I face each other, playing against each other, I think it's a really good thing for tennis because we always show a really intense match, really close match, great points, great rallies," the four-time Grand Slam champion said in his press conference.

"I think for the people who don't watch tennis, probably thanks to these kindfof matches start to watch tennis or even practice it. I think it is pretty good," Alcaraz added.

Following his victory at the China Open, Carlos Alcaraz is set to replace Alexander Zverev as the World No. 2 behind Jannik Sinner. The two youngsters have taken the tennis world by storm this year, splitting the four Grand Slams, with Sinner winning the Australian Open and the US Open and Alcaraz clinching Wimbledon and the French Open. This is the first time since 2003 that none of the Big 3 (Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic) have won a Major.