Jannik Sinner Says Alcaraz’s Absence From Madrid Open ‘tough To Swallow’

Jannik Sinner described Carlos Alcaraz’s wounded withdrawal from nan Madrid Open arsenic “tough to swallow” for nan tourney and believes nan absence of his top rival will make a large quality arsenic he tries to triumph a grounds 5th consecutive Masters title.

“It’s a very reliable point for nan tournament,” said Sinner. “Last twelvemonth he didn’t play, truthful doubly successful a statement is tough. And besides Novak [Djokovic] is not here, it’s reliable to swallow for nan tournament. It is ever different erstwhile Carlos and Novak are not successful nan draw. I would opportunity [this business is] unsocial because we person shared since past twelvemonth a batch of tournaments.”

Alcaraz was forced to retreat from this week’s Madrid Open, nan biggest tourney successful his location country, for nan 2nd twelvemonth successful a statement aft sustaining a correct wrist wounded successful his opening information lucifer astatine nan Barcelona Open past week. On Monday, Alcaraz wore a formed connected his wrist arsenic he attended nan Laureus Sports Awards successful Madrid and won nan World Sportsman of nan Year award.

In galore interviews during nan event, Alcaraz was non-committal connected nan taxable of competing astatine Roland Garros. The 22-year-old has won nan French Open connected nan past 2 occasions contempt 2 injury-ravaged clay-court seasons successful nan buildup to his victories. However, he said that he would prioritise preserving his wellness successful nan early alternatively than taking a large consequence by competing astatine Roland Garros this year.

“We person a very agelong roadworthy ahead, galore years successful front,” said Alcaraz successful his post-event property conference. “Forcing myself successful this Roland Garros could wounded maine a batch for nan future. We’ll spot what happens pinch nan tests. I would for illustration to return a spot later but very well, alternatively than rushing to return early and badly.”

Sinner besides attended nan Laureus Awards, wherever he was nominated successful Alcaraz’s category. He said he opted not to inquire Alcaraz astir his wounded erstwhile nan brace said during nan event: “I talked pinch him,” said Sinner. “We didn’t talk a batch astir this topic. I deliberation it’s besides very, very private, truthful … But yeah, I deliberation we each saw that he had a [cast] on. Hopefully it tin thief him to get backmost arsenic soon arsenic possible. It’s a very large pity to not person him present and besides Novak, nan 2 biggest stars successful tennis. We still dream it’s going to beryllium a bully tournament, but of people not seeing them it makes a large difference.”

For Sinner, nan absence of Alcaraz and Djokovic, nan only 2 players to hit him astatine a expansive slam tourney since Wimbledon 2024, provides him pinch an moreover greater chance of pursuing up his recent victories successful Paris, Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo by winning his first title successful Madrid. “I ever spell and it will ever be: We spell time by day. We person reliable challenges successful beforehand of me, starting from nan first day,” he said.