Jannik Sinner set for Madrid challenge without "two biggest stars" Alcaraz, Djokovic in draw

Jannik Sinner will be without his main rival in the Mutua Madrid Open draw, as he chases a fifth consecutive ATP Masters 1000 title.

But before beginning his campaign for a maiden trophy at the Caja Mágica, the world No. 1 crossed paths with Carlos Alcaraz off the court. The two friends attended Monday night’s Laureus World Sports Awards, where Novak Djokovic and Lorenzo Musetti were among their peers to also dress up for the special occasion.

“I talked with him. It's a very big pity to not have him here and also Novak, the two biggest stars in tennis,” stated Sinner when meeting with media Tuesday. “So we still hope it's going to be a good tournament, but of course, not seeing them, it makes a big difference.”

Alcaraz, who withdrew from his home event with a right arm injury and is currently wearing a brace, ultimately took home the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award. It was a tremendous night for the sport, with Aryna Sabalenka earning Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year honors.

Sinner reclaimed the top spot on the ATP rankings from the Spaniard after prevailing in a winner-take-all final at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. That triumph ended a near four-year title drought on clay for the Italian, who came up just short to Alcaraz on the surface at Rome and Roland Garros last season.

The 24-year-old became the first man since Djokovic in 2015 to sweep Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo, and eyes the completion of a Career Masters 1000 set in the Spanish and Italian capitals over the next month. Sinner is yet to advance past the quarterfinal stage in Madrid, having missed last year’s edition while he completed a three-month ban in his settlement with WADA related to two positive tests for Clostebol at the 2024 BNP Paribas Open.

I'm just trying to figure out how to play on this surface here in Madrid. Jannik Sinner

His two losses in 26 matches this season have come at the hands of Djokovic in the Australian Open semifinals and then 16th-ranked Jakub Mensik in the quarterfinals of the ATP 500 event in Doha.

“I think every different kind of clay court can help me as I am trying to improve as a player. Here, it might be one of the most challenging ones because of certain things and also depending on who you play,” he said.

“I have never played very well here, so let's see how it goes this year. But I'm very happy to be here.”

In his opener, Sinner meets the winner of a clash between French qualifiers Benjamin Bonzi and Titouan Drouget. The highest seeds in his quarter are No. 5 Alex de MInaur (13-0 in head-to-head series) and No. 9 Andrey Rublev, the 2024 champion.