Mutua Madrid Open (Madrid Masters) 2026 - ATP Masters 1000

[MargaretMcAleer]

Impressed with the all court display from the Croatian Q Dino Prizmic who defeated Berrettini 63 64 he will face Ben Shelton next
Cilic defeated Bergs in 3 sets with a good strong serving display 46 63 64 and will face Fonseca next

 

[El Dude]

Sinner has not necessarily 'maxed out' though he has reached a dominant, elite level that makes further improvement difficult
Sinner has demonstrated immense maturity, improved his serve significantly ( increasing ace count by 50% from 2022 to 2024) and shown top tier resilience in high pressure moments, I feel he is more consistent than Alcaraz in ways.
I also felt he used good tactics in defeating Alcaraz recently in MC, pinning him in his bhand wing, not being able use his fhand, at one count Alcaraz had 14 UFE on his bhand, in the match
I feel he can improve his physical endurance for longer matches, his 5 set record (6-10), lower than his rival Alcaraz
He has indicated the ability to continue to evolve his game rather than having reached a permanent ceiling

That was what was so impressive about RG last year - that he last five sets, and almost won it. I think he largely banished the "five set ghost" last year, though it may be that a lot of CA's edge over him is in five-setters. It is worth noting that while Sinner is 2-4 in BO5 matches, he's 0-3 in actual five-setters vs Carlos.

The overall H2H is narrowing and is now 10-7. 11-7 if you count the challenger they played in 2019 (Carlos won), but then Jannik won both of their Six Kings matches which, despite being exos, should be taken into account considering the bucket of cash involved.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

That was what was so impressive about RG last year - that he last five sets, and almost won it. I think he largely banished the "five set ghost" last year, though it may be that a lot of CA's edge over him is in five-setters. It is worth noting that while Sinner is 2-4 in BO5 matches, he's 0-3 in actual five-setters vs Carlos.

The overall H2H is narrowing and is now 10-7. 11-7 if you count the challenger they played in 2019 (Carlos won), but then Jannik won both of their Six Kings matches which, despite being exos, should be taken into account considering the bucket of cash involved.

Until Sinner "blinked"[ when serving for the match at RG I thought he was the better player, in saying that Carlos came back in God Mode in the TB and won, its not over to the Fat Lady Sings, and Carlos deserved his victory
I still feel in heat conditions Sinner can still falter, he didnt play well at the AO, though he had a training block in Dubai before the AO
Sinner has found his level again, winning IW,Miami and MC lets see how he performs in Madrid, he had to retire getting to the QFs against FAA with a hip injury, in 2024, suspended in 2025, Sinner has the chance if he wins to be the first player in history to win 5 Masters 1000 in a row.

 

[Kieran]

That was what was so impressive about RG last year - that he last five sets, and almost won it. I think he largely banished the "five set ghost" last year, though it may be that a lot of CA's edge over him is in five-setters. It is worth noting that while Sinner is 2-4 in BO5 matches, he's 0-3 in actual five-setters vs Carlos.

The overall H2H is narrowing and is now 10-7. 11-7 if you count the challenger they played in 2019 (Carlos won), but then Jannik won both of their Six Kings matches which, despite being exos, should be taken into account considering the bucket of cash involved.

No you can’t take them exhibition matches into account, they’re just gratuities, fancy necklaces, they’re not tour. It’s like the Laver Cup, it’s just a clown show. But I didn’t knew the stats on their five set matches. Sinner impressed last year with the way he bounced back at Wimbledon and I think he’ll actually take heart from getting so close last year and be up for it this year.

But they’re developing a pattern, I think Carlos has won all their slam matches in Paris and New York and Jannik is 2-0 at Wimbledon. Personally I hope Carlos hammers him at both this year!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

My main concern for Carlos presently is his wrist, he cant practice, I will be surprised if he plays Roma and RG is also in doubt
Carlos said he is waiting for further results on his wrist, and wont play RG if is wrist doesnt improve, he is wearing a 'sleeve splint'
I dont want Carlos to end up having wrist problems, going down the path of Del Potro or Thiem

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Jodar WC wins 26 75 64 against De Jong, was a poor start but turned it around thereafter. Even still, was a tough one and De Jong came within a few points of the win in the 2nd set.

 

[Kieran]

My main concern for Carlos presently is his wrist, he cant practice, I will be surprised if he plays Roma and RG is also in doubt
Carlos said he is waiting for further results on his wrist, and wont play RG if is wrist doesnt improve, he is wearing a 'sleeve splint'
I dont want Carlos to end up having wrist problems, going down the path of Del Potro or Thiem

That would be horrendous..

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

That would be horrendous..

Agree, the results of the further scans are due any day, if he has to miss RG this year, so be it, he has to look at the 'big picture' he is 22 yo and has a lot of tennis to look forward to,
One of the last conversations Susan and I had, I said to Susan I dont want Carlos to play every clay tournament, she agreed and thought he could miss Barcelona, remember he did not play Madrid last year, he had a leg injury.

 

[britbox]

Madrid Highlights - Day 1

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

That was what was so impressive about RG last year - that he last five sets, and almost won it. I think he largely banished the "five set ghost" last year, though it may be that a lot of CA's edge over him is in five-setters. It is worth noting that while Sinner is 2-4 in BO5 matches, he's 0-3 in actual five-setters vs Carlos.

The overall H2H is narrowing and is now 10-7. 11-7 if you count the challenger they played in 2019 (Carlos won), but then Jannik won both of their Six Kings matches which, despite being exos, should be taken into account considering the bucket of cash involved.

Fair or not, the narrative of Sinner being unable to win 5-set matches will be there until he actually breaks through and wins these matches. He had a very good chance to do so at the Australian Open, but he (once again) came up on the losing end of a 5-setter to Djokovic at the Australian Open. Sinner has the most losses in 5-set matches since 2022. The only time I remember Sinner coming through in a 5-set match was the comeback at the 2024 AO Final against Medvedev. If I hadn't taken a picture of the final score, I probably would be asking if Sinner ever won a 5-set match.