Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner were seen training side-by-side on Thursday as they ramped up their preparations for the BNP Paribas Open. Both players are due to begin their Indian Wells campaigns on Friday.
Before the training session, the world’s top-ranked men’s tennis players also shook hands and greeted each other. Sinner practiced with compatriot Luciano Darderi, while Alcaraz practiced with Jiri Lehecka ahead of the 2026 BNP Paribas Open.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner Practice Side-by-Side; Rep Nike Apparel
Alcaraz and Sinner were both sporting white Nike t-shirts for the training session. The Spaniard appeared to be wearing a Nike golf shirt, while the Italian wore a shirt with “winning starts with training” on the front.
World No.1 & 2 practice side by side in #TennisParadise 😍
Watch live streams:
Alcaraz ➤ https://t.co/2UxWc72zB6
Sinner ➤ https://t.co/VCrHVW0MGt pic.twitter.com/oRZowNpwXo— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 5, 2026
There had been some criticism of Sinner’s kits at the Australian Open, with the American sportswear brand coming under the scanner. The World No. 2 gave his backing to Nike, but added that his team would be more involved in the design process for his apparel from next year.
“I think Nike is doing an incredible job, because they have so many athletes and so many different things they need to think about but [at] the same time I like what I’m wearing,” he said via Jessica Schiffer of NY Times.
“It’s also not easy to always have something that looks perfect in that court, but at the same time, I believe there’s such a big team [at Nike] to make great outfits, and we’re getting more involved in it next year, but I think they’re doing a pretty great job,” he added.
Carlos and Jannik shake hand before practice FINALLY NDKDJD (Apparently Carlos went towards Jannik) pic.twitter.com/qsn3FamFNJ
— best of sincaraz (@jannikandcarlos) March 5, 2026
Alcaraz and Sinner are both Nike-sponsored players and remain two of the brand’s most high-profile athletes. A number of tennis players have left the brand in recent years, including Naomi Osaka, Emma Raducanu, Taylor Fritz, and Iga Świątek.
Sinner and Alcaraz’s Possible Route to Indian Wells Final
As the top two seeds at the BNP Paribas Open, Alcaraz and Sinner cannot meet until the final. Both players received a first-round bye and will begin their respective campaigns in the second round.
Provided the top seeds go through the rounds unscathed, Alcaraz could face Casper Ruud in the fourth round, Alex de Minaur or Alexander Bublik in the quarterfinals, and one of Taylor Fritz, Novak Djokovic, or Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals.
MORE: Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic-Led Indian Wells Draw: Players’ Paths Disclosed
Dalibor Svrcina will be Sinner’s second-round opponent, and the 24-year-old could be in for a tricky fourth-round clash against one of Karen Khachanov or Tommy Paul.
A possible quarterfinal against Ben Shelton or Jakub Menšík could then await Sinner, followed by a semifinal against Alexander Zverev or Lorenzo Musetti. You can predict all matches at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open with the help of the PFSN Simulator.
