Jannik Sinner
Sinner salutes Jodar & fellow #NextGenATP standouts: ‘It’s a very strong year’
World No. 1 was asked about rising 19-year-old Jodar on Sunday in Madrid
April 26, 2026
David Ramos/Getty Images
Jannik Sinner spoke about Rafael Jodar’s rise on Sunday at the Mutua Madrid Open.
By Jerome Coombe
Jannik Sinner may be focused on tightening his hold on the No. 1 spot in the PIF ATP Rankings, but the Italian remains just as attentive to the sport’s rising generation.
After cruising past Elmer Moller in the third round of the Mutua Madrid Open on Sunday — marking his 19th straight win — Sinner was asked about one of the fastest-emerging talents on tour: Rafael Jodar. The 19-year-old Madrid native has enjoyed a breakout stretch, capturing his first title in Marrakech and reaching the Barcelona semi-finals, while he is now into the third round at his home ATP Masters 1000 event.
“He’s a very, very talented player,” Sinner said of Jodar, who plays fellow 19-year-old Joao Fonseca on Sunday evening. “He was warming up today with Nicolai [Budkov Kjaer], the Norwegian guy. They’re in a very interesting year, born 2006. There’s Joao, Jodar, Nicolai, [Rei] Sakamoto: They’re all very, very good players, and it’s a very strong year.
“Jodar is a very, very clean hitter [with] very easy power. You can hear the sound when he touches it, and it’s a good sound coming from the racquet. He’s very, very talented. He’s going to be a great, great player in the future, and he’s already showing it. I like his mentality, it’s quite calm. I don’t know him personally, but he seems very humble. He’s a very, very good player, and I wish him only the best.”
Sinner’s interest in the rising Spaniard goes beyond words: He was courtside on Friday to watch Jodar defeat fifth seed Alex de Minaur in the second round amid a vibrant atmosphere on Manolo Santana Stadium.
Jodar is part of a broader #NextGenATP wave that has caught Sinner’s attention, alongside Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, Rei Sakamoto, and Fonseca. All four have qualified for the 2026 PIF ATP Next Gen Accelerator, which provides additional playing opportunities for the best up-and-coming players across junior, college or traditional pathways.
While the next generation gathers momentum, Sinner is also making history of his own. With 24 consecutive wins at ATP Masters 1000 level, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, he has already surpassed Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic’s runs of 23 and is now closing in on the streak set by Djokovic (31 in 2011, and 30 in 2014-15) and Roger Federer (29 in 2005-06). Even so, the 24-year-old remains grounded.
“I cannot compare myself with these names,” Sinner said when asked whether he thinks about these records. “They did so much stuff in their career, I’m just in the beginning. They are at a different level. For me, I’m happy to be here. I’m happy to play as many matches as possible. But what they did, it’s something else. I just try to give everything I have 100 per cent in every match. If I win, good. If not, I tried my best and I don’t have regrets. So that’s it.”
Next, Sinner continues his bid for a fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title against 19th seed Cameron Norrie in Madrid, in what will be their first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting.
