Jannik Sinner continues to write a season that is starting to verge on the historic. The Italian solidly defeated Cameron Norrie to advance to the quarterfinals of the Mutua Madrid Open 2026, extending his streak to 20 consecutive victories in Masters 1000 this year. A milestone that only Novak Djokovic had reached until now.
The world number one is seeking his fourth Masters 1000 title in 2026 in Madrid, which would also mark the fifth consecutive one in this category, a historic achievement. A possible match against Rafa Jódar looms on the horizon, which would be one of the tournament's main attractions. In a press conference, Sinner analyzed his current form and discussed his relationship with Carlos Alcaraz, the scheduling in Madrid, and the rise of the new generations.

Sinner reveals how he feels with the support of the Spanish crowd
“I have a very good relationship with Carlos, and I believe that also helps me garner support here. It's mutual. When he plays in Italy, he also receives a lot of affection. Obviously, if we play against local players, the crowd will support their own, but we know it's not personal. Our rivalry is very healthy on and off the court. When we shake hands, it's as if nothing happened. I think people perceive that, and it's good for the sport”.
Winning streak
“I know how difficult it is to win matches, so achieving 20 in a row is something special. But at the same time, I don't dwell on it too much. Every day you have a different opponent, and you just try to be better than them on that day. Conditions change, schedules change, opponents change... today, for example, my opponent was left-handed, and you have to make adjustments. I don't think about the streak; I just try to put myself in the best possible position to win as many matches as I can. Mentally, you have to be prepared every day for a tough battle”.
Criticism of the schedules
“I heard comments about me playing at 11 and Jódar at 16, and I think it was a good decision. It's difficult to schedule two matches starting after 20:00 because you can't expect them to last only an hour and a half. Playing at 23:00 and finishing at 1:00 or later is too much. The logical thing today was for me to play earlier because he needed more rest. But I adapt to any schedule. Still, I believe the planning can be improved because finishing so late affects the body and mind: press conferences, recovery, dinner... you end up going to bed at 4 or 5, and it disrupts your day”.
Possible duel against Jódar
“I watched his entire match against Fonseca. It was of a very high level. And I have a feeling it won't be the only time we face each other. He has a lot of talent. It would be interesting to play against him before big tournaments like Rome or Roland Garros. He is very adapted to these conditions in Madrid, but it would also be useful for me to draw conclusions. He is a very exciting player with a lot of potential”.
Mental management of matches
“I know that each day can be challenging. Today, for instance, I had difficulties in the second set. The conditions here are fast, and anyone can trouble you. I try to stay calm and not take anything for granted. You can win or lose at any moment, especially when you're a bit tired. Maintaining a high mental level throughout the match is not easy, but I try”.
Stepping up the game
“The tournament is entering an important phase now, and we always aim to raise our level round by round. I believe I can still improve a bit. It's harder to control things here due to the conditions, but I know I have to step up if I want to go far. I try to manage my energy well. Reaching another Masters 1000 quarterfinal is positive, especially because I didn't play here last year, so they're bonus points”.
It's tough to beat him if he keeps this up
“I hope so. In the end, the ranking is just a number, but there's a reason behind it. To beat the best, you have to play very well. But we are human, we can all have a bad day. The important thing is to always give 100%. You can't control the rest. I try to maintain a very high and solid level, adapting to the opponent. And then we'll see what happens”.
Visiting India
“I don't recall promising that. I know there's a 250 tournament there, not sure if it's still ongoing. It's nice to see how tennis is growing in India. You have great players, and I hope more will emerge in the future. I'm not sure if I can go, but I'd love to. It's a part of the world I don't know, and I'd like to visit someday. I have a good relationship with Indian players, and in the past, there were great names from there. There was even a young player who trained at the same center as me. My favorite dish is butter chicken; I really like that”.
本新闻为自动翻译。您可以阅读原始新闻:Sinner se sincera sobre su relación con Alcaraz y el apoyo del público español

