"We're acting like nothing happened" - Carlos Alcaraz opens up on "weird" plane ride with arch-rival Jannik Sinner to Shanghai hours after China Open

Carlos Alcaraz recently shared the details of his plane ride from Beijing to Shanghai with arch-rival Jannik Sinner, hours after the pair’s China Open 2024 blockbuster. The Spaniard called the situation “weird” but explained how tennis players make it work.

Alcaraz and Sinner staged a thrilling battle in the final of the ATP 500 in Beijing on Wednesday, October 2. After a grueling three hours and 21 minutes of play, Alcaraz successfully dethroned the defending champion in the final tiebreak 6-7 (6), 6-4, 7-6 (3).

Just hours later, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner commenced their journey to Shanghai together, ahead of their Masters 1000 campaigns. The tennis players posed for a picture in flight, and the endearing moment went viral on social media, with many fans surprised by their camaraderie after such a tough clash.

Shedding light on their travel, Alcaraz told Tennis TV:

"It is weird; it’s a weird thing but I think tennis is different than the other sports because of it."

The Spaniard said that he spent some jolly time with the World No. 1, cracking jokes and talking about life.

"We’re fighting against each other – three hours match; he could win, but in the end I got the win. And then two hours later we are in the same plane, having some laughs, making jokes, talking about life. And it’s like, we’re acting like nothing happened before," he said about the time spent with two-time Grand Slam champion.

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Carlos Alcaraz on spending time with Jannik Sinner in-flight: "In tennis we have a really good relationship off the court"

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz pictured at the 2024 China Open - Image Source: Getty

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s ride together isn’t the first time tennis players have shared a private jet. It is common practice for tournament organizers to escort their finalists to the next event.

Earlier this year, Andrey Rublev and Alexei Popyrin, who featured in the Canadian Open final, traveled together to the Cincinnati Masters. Meanwhile, Sebastian Korda and Flavio Cobolli, too, made their journey to Montreal together after competing in the Citi Open final.

Addressing this unique aspect, Carlos Alcaraz highlighted his off-court bond with Jannik Sinner despite their fierce on-court rivalry.

"Probably in other sports, it could be impossible to do it, but I think in tennis we have a really good relationship off the court as well," he said.

"Obviously, when we step on the court, we always want to win with the opponent, but after that we have a really good relationship with everyone, so we can do it," the four-time Major winner added.

After landing in Shanghai, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz also graced a Nike event together. The players who are seeded first and third, respectively, at the Masters 1000 tournament kick off their campaigns on Saturday, October 5. After an opening-round bye, Sinner faces Taro Daniel while Alcaraz takes the court against home favorite Shang Juncheng.