Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in opposite sections of Madrid Draw due to Djokovic withdrawal
ATPMonday, 22 April 2024 at 05:00
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz may not face each
other in the Madrid Open until a potential final following Novak Djokovic's
withdrawal. The Italian, currently world No. 2, will be the top seed after the
Serbian's departure and will lead the first half of the draw, while Alcaraz
(No. 3) will go to the other end of the main draw as the top-ranked player.
Djokovic was expected to be the main favorite in
Madrid, but he decided to withdraw from the tournament, still without clear
reasons, which caused a change in the order of the seeds, and even before the
tournament, it is guaranteed that Sinner and Alcaraz will be on different sides
of the draw.
Sinner and Alcaraz: the main favorites in Madrid
This will be the first time that the young Italian
has been the top seed in a Masters 1000 tournament. At 22 years old, he has had
an impeccable season with a record of 25-2 in 2024 and three titles, including
his first Grand Slam at the Australian Open.
Sinner also started the year with
an unbeaten streak of 16 consecutive victories, which was ended by his great
rival Alcaraz in the semifinals of Indian Wells, where the Spaniard eventually
retained the title for the second consecutive time. Alcaraz, who had been experiencing an irregular
moment in recent months, reached his peak level against Sinner to claim a
spectacular victory 1-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Alcaraz and Sinner at 2024 Indian Wells' semifinals
Although the Spaniard recently lost the No.
2 spot in the ATP rankings to his rival, he may have a slight favoritism in
Madrid, considering he is a 2-time defending champion and will have the support
of the local crowd.
With eight matches played between them, their last
four encounters were in the semifinals of tournaments. So far, Sinner and
Alcaraz have faced each other only once in a final, back in the 2022 Croatia Open Umag,
where Sinner claimed the title with a 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-1 victory, precisely his
only title on clay.
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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