Djokovic and Murray offer glimpse of a thrilling union

Our verdict as one-time rivals undertake first slam practice session as player and coach in front of select audience

- Tumaini Carayol

During his short time as one of the leading tennis players of his generation, Carlos Alcaraz has methodically built a reputation for his fearlessness and nerve. Even in the face of some of the most accomplished opponents and lofty occasions, the pressure has so often elevated his game to greater heights.

Yesterday afternoon in a near-empty Margaret Court Arena, however, the 21-year-old could have been forgiven for feeling slightly intimidated. Across the net stood not one but two of the greatest players in the history of the sport, two legendary rivals who have joined forces with the obvious goal of holding him and his contemporaries off for as long as they can. For the first time, Andy Murray joined Novak Djokovic in a grand slam practice session as the 24-time grand slam champion's coach.

This year, the Australian Open has opened up its qualifying week to fans, allowing them to follow the top players' training sessions and final preparations, as they attempt to turn the event into a three-week occasion. At the same time that thousands of fans filled Rod Laver Arena to watch Jannik Sinner sharpen his toolkit against the home favourite Alexei Popyrin in a practice match, Djokovic and Alcaraz, now the two most successful active male tennis players, were tussling directly next door in front of about five people in an arena closed to the public.