Match Preview
Sinner embraces Madrid ‘challenge’ amid red-hot streak
World No. 1 previews his bid for a fifth consecutive ATP Masters 1000 title
April 21, 2026
Mutua Madrid Open
Jannik Sinner, the top seed at the Mutua Madrid Open, will aim to win his fifth consecutive ATP Masters 1000 title.
By ATP Staff
Jannik Sinner arrives at the Mutua Madrid Open riding the momentum of a defining stretch, but the World No. 1 is fully aware that success on clay is never one size fits all.
After winning his first clay-court ATP Masters 1000 title earlier this month in Monte-Carlo, Sinner is now chasing another milestone as the top seed in Madrid. The 24-year-old has never advanced beyond the quarter-finals at the event, and the unique conditions in the Spanish capital present a fresh test, even for the sport’s most in-form player.
“I think here it’s a very unique playing style,” Sinner told reporters on Tuesday in Madrid. “It’s very high altitude and it can be windy at times, so it’s very difficult to play. But I think every different kind of clay court can help me as I am trying to improve as a player.
“Here, it might be one of the most challenging ones because of certain things and also depending on who you play… You have to adapt yourself. But I have never played very well here, so let’s see how it goes this year. But I’m very happy to be here.”
Since his quarter-final loss to Jakub Mensik in Doha in February, Sinner has won 17 consecutive matches, capturing titles in Indian Wells, Miami and Monte-Carlo. He now has the opportunity to claim a fifth straight Masters 1000 crown, dating back to Paris last season.
Still, his focus remains narrow. Sinner owns a 6-2 record in Madrid, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, having reached the quarter-finals in his latest appearance in 2024, when he withdrew ahead of his clash against Felix Auger-Aliassime.
“I always go day by day with tough challenges in front of me, starting from the first day against a qualifier, who’s already had a couple of rounds here,” said Sinner, who will open against a qualifier or lucky loser. “Then we’ll see. But I’m happy to be here. I’m just trying to figure out how to play on this surface here in Madrid.
“I think people and fans are very passionate here and this is something that’s important for us players to see. When we see a good connection with the crowd, it makes it very special to play. And I do believe that I have a good relationship with Spain, also because of Carlos. We have a good friendship off the court and I think people can recognise this in a nice and positive way.”
Although Sinner’s fierce Lexus ATP Head2Head rival Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the event due to injury, the pair was able to share a moment at the Laureus Awards on Monday.
“I talked with him,” Sinner said. “It’s a very big pity to not have him here and also Novak, the two biggest stars in tennis. So we still hope it’s going to be a good tournament, but of course, not seeing them, it makes a big difference.”
One player that Sinner could meet in Madrid is Arthur Fils, who arrives fresh off claiming his third ATP 500 title in Barcelona. The Italian was asked whether the 21-year-old Fils could become a potential rival over the coming years.
“He is playing incredible tennis. Very, very focused on what he has to do and physically very strong,” Sinner said of Fils. “And he is showing very good consistency all around: hard court, clay courts… And winning now in Barcelona will give him a lot of confidence to play well here.”
The Mutua Madrid Open runs from 22 April to 3 May at the Caja Magica, where Sinner will aim to translate his recent dominance into success in one of the few settings that has yet to yield a deep run.
