ATP

Ben Shelton, one of the top candidates, eliminated. Source: Getty

Seed hunting: Sinner's draw in the Madrid Open opens up

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Jannik Sinner is the top favorite to win the Mutua Madrid Open 2026... and the feelings intensify when looking at his section of the draw. Friday turned into a true hunt for seeded players in the top half of the draw, with several contenders to surprise the Italian and compete for the title falling in battle. Particularly surprising was the defeat of Ben Shelton, who lost to Dino Prizmic, but in total, six seeded players succumbed in just one day of competition.

Seeded players who lost in their debut in the top half of Jannik Sinner's draw:

  • Gabriel Diallo (32)
  • Tommy Paul (15)
  • Andrey Rublev (9)
  • Alex de Miñaur (5)
  • Ben Shelton (4)
  • Valentin Vacherot (14)

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Cacería de cabezas de serie: la parte del cuadro de Sinner en el Madrid Open se abre

[pixels-player]
The curious reason why Cilic has not been able to play against Fonseca in Madrid. Photo: Gettyimages

The curious reason why Cilic has not been able to play against Fonseca in Madrid

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Less than an hour before the match between Marin Cilic and Joao Fonseca was set to start, corresponding to the second round of the Mutua Madrid Open 2026, the organization announced the Croatian's withdrawal due to injury, without providing further details. However, hours later, the 37-year-old tennis player revealed through his Instagram the reasons for his absence: "Unfortunately, I suffered food poisoning yesterday. After trying to recover all night, my body was exhausted and not at the adequate level to compete. I apologize to all the fans who were eagerly waiting for the match; I was very excited to be back in Madrid."

 

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El curioso motivo por el que Cilic no ha podido jugar contra Fonseca en Madrid

[pixels-player]
Jódar, after dominating De Miñaur: "I knew what I had to do from the very beginning". Photo: Gettyimages.

Jódar, after dominating De Miñaur: "I knew what I had to do from the very beginning"

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🎾 Flavio Cobolli vs Alexander Zverev
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Watch the match on Bet365

After giving a recital against Alex de Miñaur (6-3, 6-1), Rafa Jódar, went to the microphone at court side of Spanish Television, where he confessed that the plan he had worked perfectly: "Everything went very well, De Miñaur is a very tough opponent, I knew what I had to do from the very beginning. I felt at home so thank you very much to all the audience for coming," concluded the Spanish tennis player who will have an exciting match next Sunday against Joao Fonseca.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Jódar, tras dominar a De Miñaur: "Sabía lo que tenía hacer desde el primer momento"

[pixels-player]
Rafael Jódar, seed options in Madrid. Photo: gettyimages

Jódar takes an important step to be seeded at Roland Garros

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Rafael Jódar continues to climb positions in the ATP ranking and dreaming of the possibility of being a seed at Roland Garros 2026. With the victory at the Mutua Madrid Open 2026 over De Miñaur, the Spaniard is now 36th in the live ranking. It is important to consider that Alcaraz's confirmed withdrawal guarantees the 33rd player in the world a seed at the Parisian Grand Slam, so Rafa is already close to those privileged positions. Advancing in Madrid would be crucial, but it is also necessary to consider that what happens in Rome could be decisive in this objective.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Jódar da un paso importante para ser cabeza de serie en Roland Garros

[pixels-player]
Sinner, luxury spectator at Jódar - De Miñaur. Photo: Getty Images

Sinner, luxury spectator at Jódar - De Miñaur

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Jannik Sinner didn't want to miss the opportunity to watch live the new promise of Spanish and world tennis: Rafa Jódar. After his victory against Benjamin Bonzi in his debut at the Mutua Madrid Open 2026, the world number one stayed at the Caja Mágica to watch the match between Alex de Miñaur and the Spaniard. The winner of this match could potentially be the Italian's opponent in a hypothetical quarterfinal.

 

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sinner, espectador de lujo en el Jódar - De Miñaur

[pixels-player]
Nadal's beautiful message to Alcaraz: "These moments of difficulty highlight everything you are doing". Photo: Getty Images

Nadal's beautiful message to Alcaraz: "These moments of difficulty highlight everything you are doing"

Streaming ATP Madrid live tennis
🎾 Flavio Cobolli vs Alexander Zverev
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Watch the match on Bet365

From champion to champion, Rafa Nadal knows better than anyone what it's like to miss Roland Garros due to injury. Therefore, after Carlos Alcaraz announced his withdrawal from the Parisian major, the 14-time Roland Garros champion sent a heartfelt message to his compatriot through his social media: "Stay strong, Carlos! I hope you have a speedy recovery. These moments of difficulty highlight all that you are accomplishing. Lots of strength and a big hug."

 

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El bonito mensaje de Nadal a Alcaraz: "Estos momentos de dificultad ponen en valor todo lo que estás haciendo"

[pixels-player]
Ben Shelton, one of the top candidates, eliminated. Source: Getty

Seed hunting: Sinner's draw in the Madrid Open opens up

Streaming ATP Madrid live tennis
🎾 Flavio Cobolli vs Alexander Zverev
  1. Sign up with Bet365 here
  2. Make your first deposit of at least €5
  3. Go to the “Live” section and watch every match
Watch the match on Bet365

Jannik Sinner is the top favorite to win the Mutua Madrid Open 2026... and the feelings intensify when looking at his section of the draw. Friday turned into a true hunt for seeded players in the top half of the draw, with several contenders to surprise the Italian and compete for the title falling in battle. Particularly surprising was the defeat of Ben Shelton, who lost to Dino Prizmic, but in total, six seeded players succumbed in just one day of competition.

Seeded players who lost in their debut in the top half of Jannik Sinner's draw:

  • Gabriel Diallo (32)
  • Tommy Paul (15)
  • Andrey Rublev (9)
  • Alex de Miñaur (5)
  • Ben Shelton (4)
  • Valentin Vacherot (14)

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Cacería de cabezas de serie: la parte del cuadro de Sinner en el Madrid Open se abre

[pixels-player]
The curious reason why Cilic has not been able to play against Fonseca in Madrid. Photo: Gettyimages

The curious reason why Cilic has not been able to play against Fonseca in Madrid

Streaming ATP Madrid live tennis
🎾 Flavio Cobolli vs Alexander Zverev
  1. Sign up with Bet365 here
  2. Make your first deposit of at least €5
  3. Go to the “Live” section and watch every match
Watch the match on Bet365

Less than an hour before the match between Marin Cilic and Joao Fonseca was set to start, corresponding to the second round of the Mutua Madrid Open 2026, the organization announced the Croatian's withdrawal due to injury, without providing further details. However, hours later, the 37-year-old tennis player revealed through his Instagram the reasons for his absence: "Unfortunately, I suffered food poisoning yesterday. After trying to recover all night, my body was exhausted and not at the adequate level to compete. I apologize to all the fans who were eagerly waiting for the match; I was very excited to be back in Madrid."

 

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El curioso motivo por el que Cilic no ha podido jugar contra Fonseca en Madrid

[pixels-player]
Rafael Jódar, seed options in Madrid. Photo: gettyimages

Jódar takes an important step to be seeded at Roland Garros

Streaming ATP Madrid live tennis
🎾 Flavio Cobolli vs Alexander Zverev
  1. Sign up with Bet365 here
  2. Make your first deposit of at least €5
  3. Go to the “Live” section and watch every match
Watch the match on Bet365

Rafael Jódar continues to climb positions in the ATP ranking and dreaming of the possibility of being a seed at Roland Garros 2026. With the victory at the Mutua Madrid Open 2026 over De Miñaur, the Spaniard is now 36th in the live ranking. It is important to consider that Alcaraz's confirmed withdrawal guarantees the 33rd player in the world a seed at the Parisian Grand Slam, so Rafa is already close to those privileged positions. Advancing in Madrid would be crucial, but it is also necessary to consider that what happens in Rome could be decisive in this objective.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Jódar da un paso importante para ser cabeza de serie en Roland Garros

[pixels-player]
Jódar, after dominating De Miñaur: "I knew what I had to do from the very beginning". Photo: Gettyimages.

Jódar, after dominating De Miñaur: "I knew what I had to do from the very beginning"

Streaming ATP Madrid live tennis
🎾 Flavio Cobolli vs Alexander Zverev
  1. Sign up with Bet365 here
  2. Make your first deposit of at least €5
  3. Go to the “Live” section and watch every match
Watch the match on Bet365

After giving a recital against Alex de Miñaur (6-3, 6-1), Rafa Jódar, went to the microphone at court side of Spanish Television, where he confessed that the plan he had worked perfectly: "Everything went very well, De Miñaur is a very tough opponent, I knew what I had to do from the very beginning. I felt at home so thank you very much to all the audience for coming," concluded the Spanish tennis player who will have an exciting match next Sunday against Joao Fonseca.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Jódar, tras dominar a De Miñaur: "Sabía lo que tenía hacer desde el primer momento"

[pixels-player]
Sinner, luxury spectator at Jódar - De Miñaur. Photo: Getty Images

Sinner, luxury spectator at Jódar - De Miñaur

Streaming ATP Madrid live tennis
🎾 Flavio Cobolli vs Alexander Zverev
  1. Sign up with Bet365 here
  2. Make your first deposit of at least €5
  3. Go to the “Live” section and watch every match
Watch the match on Bet365

Jannik Sinner didn't want to miss the opportunity to watch live the new promise of Spanish and world tennis: Rafa Jódar. After his victory against Benjamin Bonzi in his debut at the Mutua Madrid Open 2026, the world number one stayed at the Caja Mágica to watch the match between Alex de Miñaur and the Spaniard. The winner of this match could potentially be the Italian's opponent in a hypothetical quarterfinal.

 

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sinner, espectador de lujo en el Jódar - De Miñaur

[pixels-player]
Nadal's beautiful message to Alcaraz: "These moments of difficulty highlight everything you are doing". Photo: Getty Images

Nadal's beautiful message to Alcaraz: "These moments of difficulty highlight everything you are doing"

Streaming ATP Madrid live tennis
🎾 Flavio Cobolli vs Alexander Zverev
  1. Sign up with Bet365 here
  2. Make your first deposit of at least €5
  3. Go to the “Live” section and watch every match
Watch the match on Bet365

From champion to champion, Rafa Nadal knows better than anyone what it's like to miss Roland Garros due to injury. Therefore, after Carlos Alcaraz announced his withdrawal from the Parisian major, the 14-time Roland Garros champion sent a heartfelt message to his compatriot through his social media: "Stay strong, Carlos! I hope you have a speedy recovery. These moments of difficulty highlight all that you are accomplishing. Lots of strength and a big hug."

 

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El bonito mensaje de Nadal a Alcaraz: "Estos momentos de dificultad ponen en valor todo lo que estás haciendo"

[pixels-player]
Son, on Alcaraz's withdrawal from Roland Garros: "It's bad news, but he will return and win several more titles". Photo: Getty Images.

Son, about Alcaraz's withdrawal at Roland Garros: "It's bad news, but he will return and win several more titles"

Streaming ATP Madrid live tennis
🎾 Flavio Cobolli vs Alexander Zverev
  1. Sign up with Bet365 here
  2. Make your first deposit of at least €5
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Watch the match on Bet365

Arthur Fils had a tough debut against Ignacio Buse at the Mutua Madrid Open 2026, but he managed to turn the score around (6-7, 7-6, 7-5) and is now in the third round. However, at the end of his match, he went through the mixed zone at the Caja Mágica and found out about Carlos Alcaraz's absence from Rome and Roland Garros. "It's really bad news. He's a great guy, a great friend. I didn't know, it's very sad. I think we're all going to miss a great champion there. Besides, he was defending the title and is one of the best players in the history of tennis. So it's bad news, sad, but he will be back, and when he does, he will win several more titles," the Frenchman predicted.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Fils, sobre la baja de Alcaraz en Roland Garros: "Es una mala noticia, pero volverá y ganará varios títulos más"

[pixels-player]
Sinner: "Tennis needs Alcaraz". Photo: Getty Images.

Sinner: "Tennis needs Alcaraz"

The Italian laments the absence of the Spaniard for Rome and Roland Garros and states that it is good for him and his team to take their time because "if you come back too soon, it can be worse later on."