A glimpse into the future? Jannik Sinner becomes top seed for an ATP Masters 1000 for first time after Djokovic withdrawal
ATP
Jannik Sinner benefits from Novak Djokovic's withdrawal from the Madrid Open and will be the first seed in an ATP Masters 1000 for the first time. The 24-times Grand Slam champion recently announced that for the second consecutive year he will not play in Madrid, leaving the Italian world No. 2 as the top seed.
So far, Sinner has only played 5 matches in total at the Madrid Open in two appearances. The 2024 Australian Open champion has yet to advance past the third round, with losses to Alexei Popyrin in 2021 and Felix Auger-Aliassime in 2022.
Clay is the weakest surface for the Italian so far, with no significant results in previous seasons and with only one of his 13 titles on this surface.
However, just a week ago at the Monte-Carlo Masters, he showed that he can be equally dominant on other surfaces, reaching the tournament's semifinals and suffering his second defeat of the season at the hands of the eventual champion Stefanos Tsitsipas in a controversial match.
Djokovic's withdrawal in Madrid will give the Italian a good opportunity to close the gap with the Serbian in the battle for the world No. 1. The young Italian does not defend points in the Madrid Open, and if he wins the tournament, he will be just 330 points behind Djokovic, considering also that Djokovic has to defend the 2000 points from the French Open.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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