Carlos Alcaraz left Jannik Sinner’s team in an awkward situation during the Shanghai Masters final.

The Spaniard crashed out in the quarter-final but turned up to watch the championship match between Sinner and Novak Djokovic on Sunday.

Alcaraz chose a notable position in the stands, sitting directly behind Sinner’s coaching box.

Wearing a bright blue hoodie, the 20-year-old didn’t exactly blend in with his surroundings and could be seen every time the camera panned to Sinner’s team, consisting of coach Simone Vagnozzi, physio Ulises Badio and fitness trainer Marco Panichi.

Alcaraz wasn’t the only high-profile face in the crowd. He sat alongside his brother Alvaro and his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, a retired former world No. 1. Roger Federer joined them mid-way through the first set.

But it was Alcaraz’s positioning that caught attention, as his seat allowed him to hear everything Sinner’s team told the Italian. “Just wondering if Sinner’s team are bothered that he’s sat directly behind them,” Naomi Broady said on commentary.

“I’m sure they’d have asked him to move if not. Good insight, isn’t it?”

Co-commentator Jonathan Overend noted the close relationship the pair seemed to have, replying: “So matey these days.”

Sinner, Alcaraz and their respective teams recently shared a private jet to get from Beijing to Shanghai after contesting the China Open final less than two weeks ago, something Broady mentioned.

“They’re probably on the same plane out of here! Good to see though, you can see these two players leading these tournaments,” Overend joked.

But he still thought it was unusual to see one of Sinner’s biggest rivals in such close proximity to his team for an important match.

"I think what is quite interesting about it though is obviously when Sinner’s coaching team send messages down, Carlos will be able to hear," he explained.

Broady replied: "Well that’s what I was thinking. You get a great insight."

It certainly didn't put Sinner off. As the first set went to a tiebreak, the world No. 1 stormed into a 4-0 lead and eventually took the opener 7-6(4) with Alcaraz, Federer and Ferrero watching on.