Jannik Sinner visits Carlos Alcaraz in Spain for preseason training

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner teamed up this week for what might possibly be the most ambitious crossover event of the offseason to date: a combined practice session in Spain.

As part of an extended trip to Alicante, Sinner paid a visit to the Juan Carlos Ferrero Tennis Academy in Villena, where Alcaraz is based, on Thursday and the pair traded groundstokes under clear skies and sunshine in preparation for the 2024 season.

"Thanks @janniksin for coming to train at @equeliteferrero!" Alcaraz wrote on Instagram afterwards, alongside photos of the pair on court. "Great morning and a great session! Warming up for 2024!"

The Ferrero Academy has, in fact, been a popular destiation for Italians this offseason: Earlier in the week, Alcaraz practiced with another youngster from the country, 21-year-old Flavio Cobolli, a 2023 Next Gen ATP Finals qualifier.

For the practice with Sinner, Alcaraz was accompanied by both Ferrero and Samuel Lopez, the coach of Pablo Carreno Busta who will accompany the world No. 2 to Australia. (A recent report by the Spanish newspaper Marca said that Fererro will not travel Down Under with Alcaraz after having recently undergone arthroscopic knee surgery, and it was subsequently confirmed in a story about Alcaraz and Sinner's practice session by the ATP Tour website.)

Sinner, meanwhile, was accompanied by Simone Vagnozzi, who along with Darren Cahill was named the ATP's joint Coach of the Year in 2023 for their work with the Italian, who ended the season at a career-high world No. 4.

Sinner cheekily summarized the day's events on his social media accounts, positing the group's photo with the caption: "A good day of practice."

Alcaraz and Sinner will both start their 2024 seasons at the Australian Open, as neither man entered a tournament scheduled prior to the year's first Grand Slam. From Alicante to Australia: Might we see a rematch in Melbourne with the world watching?