Scouting Report: Jannik Sinner chases five in a row, Alexander Zverev targets more Madrid success | ATP Tour

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Scouting Report: Sinner chases five in a row, Zverev targets more Madrid success

An executive summary of what every fan should know about the ATP Masters 1000 event

April 20, 2026

The fourth ATP Masters 1000 event of the season commences on Wednesday at the Mutua Madrid Open, where Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev lead the field in the Spanish capital.

Sinner is chasing a fifth consecutive Masters 1000 crown, while Germany’s Zverev is a two-time winner at the clay-court event. Ben Shelton and Arthur Fils arrive off the back of titles in Munich and Barcelona, respectively.

ATPTour.com looks at 10 things to watch in Madrid.

1) World No. 1 Sinner: The Italian is competing as the No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time this year after he returned to top spot following his title run in Monte-Carlo. The 24-year-old is aiming to win five consecutive ATP Masters 1000 crowns, having triumphed at recent events in Paris, Indian Wells, Miami and Monte-Carlo. Across those four tournaments, the Italian has dropped just one set (against Tomas Machac in Monte-Carlo). Sinner’s best result in Madrid was a quarter-final showing in 2024.

2) Two-time champ Zverev: The German has fond memories in Madrid, having lifted the trophy in 2018 and 2021. The 29-year-old reached the semi-finals on clay in Monte-Carlo and Munich this month and is the second seed in Spain.

3) Shelton arrives red hot: Shelton lifted his fifth ATP Tour title and second on clay last week in Munich, where he dispatched Flavio Cobolli in the final. The World No. 6 leads American hopes at the fourth Masters 1000 event of the year but will hope to improve on his record at the event, having never advanced beyond the third round.

4) Fils’ fantastic return: Fils is 18-5 since he returned from injury at the start of February, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, and the Frenchman won his first title since his comeback last week in Barcelona. The 21-year-old is seeking his first win in Madrid and will meet Ignacio Buse or Adrian Mannarino in his opening match.

5) Can Musetti continue to build? Lorenzo Musetti had not earned a win since the Australian Open in January but changed that record in Barcelona last week when he earned two wins. The 24-year-old Italian reached the semi-finals in Madrid 12 months ago.

6) Felix, Medvedev seeded threats: Third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime reached the final in Madrid in 2024 and will look to build on his quarter-final exit to Sinner in Monte-Carlo. Medvedev is seeded seventh and will hope to get back on track after his 0-6, 0-6 defeat to Matteo Berrettini in the Principality. Medvedev is a two-time Madrid quarter-finalist.

7) Defending champion Ruud: Casper Ruud captured the biggest title of his career in Madrid last year, when he beat Jack Draper in the final. The World No. 15 hasn’t reached a tour-level semi-final yet this season but will hope he can re-find his best level in Madrid.

8) Jodar causing a storm: Rafael Jodar was outside the Top 600 just 12 months ago, but is now at a career-high No. 42 after he advanced to the semi-finals on home soil in Barcelona. The 19-year-old Spaniard, who lifted his maiden tour-level trophy in Marrakech, opens against Dutchman Jesper de Jong.

9) Fonseca, Landaluce among #NextGenATP stars: Joao Fonseca reached his first ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final in Monte-Carlo earlier this month and now heads to Madrid high in confidence. The Brazilian faces Zizou Bergs or Marin Cilic in his opening match. Spanish wild card Martin Landaluce advanced to the last eight at the ATP Masters 1000 in Miami in March and will be backed by home support in Madrid, where he grew up. The 19-year-old opens against Adam Walton.

10) Granollers/Zeballos defending champs: Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos return to Madrid as the defending doubles champions following last year’s success. Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool arrive having won Barcelona, while Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten will be keen to lift their fourth trophy of the season.