Carlos Alcaraz, Union Berlin fan

A former world number one, Alcaraz is in the German capital this week to compete for Europe in the Laver Cup, which pits six of the continent’s top tennis players against a rest of the world team in a three-day competition.

But before he got down to the serious business of the tennis, which starts on Friday, the current world number three and Laver Cup teammate Flavio Cobolli had an opportunity to hit the net – rather than try to avoid it as they usually do – with Union Berlin coach Bo Svensson and some of his technical staff. 

Clearly, the Union boss gave a team talk that won over the club’s newest fan.

“Nothing to say but all the best of the luck to the team, to Union Berlin,” said the 21-year-old Spaniard in a social media message. “I hope all the fans will be there cheering them on. I will personally follow the results from home. And to all of them: Eisern!”

Though he was photographed wearing an Arsenal shirt bearing the name of Dennis Bergkamp during the annual Christmas football match at the academy of his coach, former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero, Alcaraz has previously stated he is a fan of Real Madrid. And also now, it seems, of Union.