(VIDEO) Jannik Sinner hits Madrid courts as No.1 eyes fifth straight Masters title
ATPMonday, 20 April 2026 at 08:30
Jannik Sinner has started his preparations for the Madrid Open after confirming he will compete in the Masters 1000 event. The world No. 1 trained on Sunday afternoon at the Manolo Santana Court, sharing the session with Argentina’s Thiago Tirante as he begins his build-up to the tournament.
His presence in Madrid follows uncertainty around his schedule after a demanding run across recent events. Sinner is also set to attend the Laureus Awards ceremony, where he is nominated for best athlete of the year, but his appearance on court indicates he is preparing to play in Spain this week.
The Italian arrives at the tournament following a sequence of results at Masters 1000 level. He has won titles in Paris, Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo, extending a run that began at the end of the 2025 season and has continued into the current campaign.
His most recent title came in Monte Carlo, where he defeated Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets in the final. That result marked his first Masters 1000 title on clay and added to a series of wins across different surfaces over the past months.
Sinner trains with Tirante ahead of Madrid campaign
Sinner’s first training session in Madrid was held with Thiago Tirante, a 25-year-old Argentine ranked world No. 73. Tirante reached the semi-finals in Houston earlier this month and has built much of his career on clay, with six Challenger titles, all on the surface.
The Argentine will make his main draw debut in Madrid after previous attempts ended in qualifying. His profile as a clay-court player provides a relevant preparation scenario for Sinner, who continues to adapt his game to the conditions in the Spanish capital.
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The session took place at the Caja Mágica, where Sinner is expected to begin his campaign later this week. His participation had not been formally confirmed in the days leading up to the event, but his training session on the main court indicates his readiness to compete.
Sinner enters Madrid with 68 weeks accumulated as world No. 1. He also arrives without points to defend from last year’s edition, leaving open the possibility of increasing his lead in the rankings depending on his result this week.
Favourable context as Sinner targets Madrid title
The competitive context in Madrid has shifted following a series of withdrawals from leading players. Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz, Jack Draper and Holger Rune are among those who will not compete in the tournament.
That situation leaves Sinner as the highest-ranked player in the draw and one of the main contenders for the title. His current lead at the top of the rankings stands at just over 400 points, and a strong performance in Madrid would allow him to extend that margin further.
Sinner has already won seven of the nine Masters 1000 tournaments played across the calendar, with Madrid and Rome remaining among the titles he has yet to claim. The event in Spain therefore represents an opportunity to complete another part of that set. A victory in Madrid would also extend his current sequence at Masters 1000 level, following titles in Paris, Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo.
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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