As the cameras started to pan away and the trophy ceremony wound down, Carlos Alcaraz received a tap on the shoulder. He turned around to find Jannik Sinner, who had climbed the steps up to the stage to offer the new US Open champion and World No 1 his congratulations one last time.
There is a deep sense of respect between the young men who have now equally split the last eight grand slam titles between them. But, as in all great rivalries, there is also a healthy dose of obsession about their patterns and behaviours when it comes to looking to beat the other.
