MADRID — The absence of Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic from the Madrid Open has left a noticeable void in the draw, but Jannik Sinner is filling it with a quiet confidence that’s becoming harder to ignore. After cruising past Cameron Norrie in straight sets to reach the quarterfinals on Monday, the world No. 1 reflected on his evolving relationship with the tournament—and the clay surface that once tested his patience.

“It’s always different when Carlos and Novak aren’t here,” Sinner said in a post-match press conference, referencing the two-time defending champion Alcaraz and 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic, both sidelined by injury. “But I’m starting to feel more comfortable in Madrid. The conditions, the court, the crowd—it’s all coming together.”

From Struggles to Streaks: Sinner’s Clay-Court Evolution

Sinner’s dominance on hard courts has never been in question—he’s won 15 of his last 16 matches on the surface—but clay has historically been his kryptonite. Before 2025, his record on the red dirt was a modest 27-18, with just one ATP title (Umag 2022) to his name. That changed dramatically last season, when he captured three clay-court Masters 1000 titles in a row (Monte Carlo, Rome, and Madrid), becoming the first man since Rafael Nadal in 2010 to achieve the feat.

This year, he’s picking up right where he left off. His victory over Norrie—6-3, 6-4—marked his 12th consecutive win at the Mutua Madrid Open, a streak that includes the 2025 title and a flawless run to the quarterfinals in 2026. The win also extended his overall Masters 1000 streak to 25 consecutive victories, tying him with Djokovic for the second-longest active streak in the category.

“I’ve worked a lot on my movement and my patience,” Sinner said. “Clay is about sliding, about waiting for the right moment. I’m not trying to overpower the ball like I do on hard courts. I’m learning to construct points better.”

Training Partners and Tactical Tweaks

One of the keys to Sinner’s clay-court success has been his training regimen. His coach, Simone Vagnozzi, revealed in a recent interview that Sinner has been sparring with Luca Nardi, a 22-year-old Italian with a game built for clay. Nardi’s ability to redirect pace and extend rallies has forced Sinner to sharpen his defensive skills—a crucial adjustment for the slower surface.

“Luca destroys me in training,” Sinner admitted with a rare laugh. “But it’s good. It forces me to think differently. On clay, you can’t just blast winners. You have to be smarter.”

His improved footwork and shot selection were on full display against Norrie. The Brit, a former world No. 8 and two-time clay-court finalist, managed just three winners in the opening set as Sinner dictated play with deep, heavy groundstrokes. By the second set, Norrie’s frustration was evident—he finished with 22 unforced errors, nearly double Sinner’s total (12).

The Alcaraz Factor: A Rivalry on Pause

Alcaraz’s withdrawal from the tournament for the second consecutive year has cast a shadow over the event. The 22-year-old Spaniard, who won the French Open in 2024 and 2025 despite injury-plagued clay-court seasons, sustained a right wrist injury at the Barcelona Open last week. He attended the Laureus Sports Awards in Madrid on Monday wearing a cast, where he was named World Sportsman of the Year—but offered no clarity on his Roland Garros status.

“It’s tough for the tournament,” Sinner said. “Last year, Carlos didn’t play, and now it’s twice in a row. The fans want to see him. We all want to see him. But I understand—he has to think about his long-term health.”

When asked about Alcaraz’s potential absence from Roland Garros, Sinner demurred. “That’s a very personal decision,” he said. “I’m not going to speculate. I just hope he’s healthy.”

What’s Next: The Road to a Sixth Straight Masters Title

Sinner’s quarterfinal opponent will be determined on Wednesday, with the winner of the match between Alexander Zverev and Andrey Rublev awaiting him. Both are formidable on clay—Zverev is a two-time Madrid champion (2018, 2021), while Rublev has reached the semifinals here three times—but Sinner’s current form makes him the favorite.

If he advances, the semifinals could pit him against Daniil Medvedev, who has struggled on clay historically but is finding his footing this season. Medvedev leads their head-to-head 6-4, but Sinner has won three of their last four meetings, including a straight-sets victory in the 2025 Rome final.

Should Sinner lift the trophy on Sunday, he’d become the first man to win five consecutive Masters 1000 titles since Djokovic’s 2014-15 streak. It would also solidify his status as the player to beat on clay—a surface that, for the first time in his career, no longer feels like foreign territory.

Key Takeaways

• 25-match Masters streak: Sinner’s 25 consecutive victories at Masters 1000 events tie him with Djokovic for the second-longest active streak.
• Clay-court breakthrough: After struggling early in his career, Sinner has now won 12 consecutive matches at the Madrid Open, including the 2025 title.
• Tactical adjustments: His improved movement and patience on clay have been honed through training with Luca Nardi, a specialist on the surface.
• Alcaraz’s absence: The Spaniard’s withdrawal for the second year in a row leaves a void in the draw, but Sinner is focused on his own path.
• Next test: A potential quarterfinal against Zverev or Rublev, followed by a possible semifinal clash with Medvedev.

What’s Next for Sinner?

Sinner’s quarterfinal match is scheduled for Thursday, May 1, with the local start time set for 8:00 PM CEST (6:00 PM UTC). The Mutua Madrid Open will conclude on Sunday, May 4, with the men’s final.

For real-time updates, follow the official ATP Tour page or the Mutua Madrid Open’s X account.

What do you think of Sinner’s clay-court evolution? Will he win a fifth straight Masters title? Share your thoughts in the comments below.