Sinner remembers Alcaraz and Djokovic: "Them not being here is difficult to digest for the tournament"

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All eyes at the Mutua Madrid Open 2026 are focused on the figure of Jannik Sinner, who enters as the top favorite for the title... and consequently, to make history. No one has ever won five consecutive Masters 1000, a quite plausible scenario for the San Candido native, who won't have his two major rivals over the net in the last few months, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.

Therefore, Jannik had no trouble addressing the absences of the Spaniard and the Serbian, confessing that he exchanged words with Carlos yesterday, but didn't ask him about the injury that has tennis fans on edge. Past the amazement and with the crowd already wondering what will happen in the Spanish capital, there is no one more mature to embrace the role of favorite than the Italian, capable of contextualizing the situation he is in and gaining motivation from the fact that he has never performed well in this tournament.

Sinner commented on Alcaraz's injury: What did he say to Carlos?

- Considering skipping Madrid: ultimately emerges as the top title contender

"I feel quite good. The schedule is tight, but I had a great evening yesterday, my first time at the Laureus Awards, it was great to see other athletes. Now we'll try to prepare the best we can, see how I feel, the plan is, obviously, to give my best. We take it day by day, in my mind, I know that the most important is Roland Garros, where I'll aim to arrive in my best shape."

- How Madrid can benefit him heading into Roland Garros

"I think the playing conditions here are unique. There is a lot of altitude and there can be quite a bit of wind at times, so it's challenging, but I believe each court style and every peculiarity, in each tournament, can help me. I'm trying to improve as a player and this tournament might be one of the most demanding, given certain aspects and depending on whom you face, but you have to adapt. I've never played well here, so we'll see how it goes this year."

- If he spoke with Alcaraz yesterday about his injury

"No, I talked to him, but we didn't discuss this matter, which I believe is quite private. Everyone saw he had that brace on, and I hope it helps him get back soon. It's a shame not to have him here, nor Novak, they are the two biggest stars of our sport. I still hope it will be a great tournament, but their absence certainly makes a difference."

- General thoughts on the Madrid tournament

"I think the fans are very passionate here, and that makes a difference; we, as players, notice that, we see it. When there is a good connection with the crowd, playing becomes more special. I feel a strong connection with Spain, also because of Carlos, as we have a good friendship off the court, and it's something people recognize in a positive and beautiful way. I'm very excited to go out and play here."

- Is it easier to win in Madrid without Alcaraz?

"As I said, it's quite complex for the tournament. He didn't play last year either, so it's two times in a row, it's tough. And Novak isn't here either, which is hard for the organization to digest, as it's always different when Carlos and Novak are not in the draw. I'd say it's a unique circumstance because we've shared many tournaments together since last year. In my mind, if I want to face Carlos, it's in the final, and the path to the final is long; anything can happen in between. We take it day by day here; I know I have a couple of tough challenges ahead, starting from the first day against a player from the qualifiers who has already gone a few rounds here."

- Regarding Arthur Fils' form, the recent Godó champion

"He is playing amazing tennis, very focused on what he needs to do, physically very strong. He is showing great consistency as well. He won on hard courts, on clay, and now he clinched the title in Barcelona, which should give him a lot of confidence to perform well here, especially now with Rome and Paris coming up, with the French crowd on his side. France needs players like Arthur; it's clear he is someone to watch closely."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sinner se acuerda de Alcaraz y Djokovic: "Que no estén es difícil de digerir para el torneo"