Jannik Sinner Says Rafa Jodar is a Player to Watch Out for in Future: “He’s Very Talented”

Jannik Sinner could face Rafa Jodar if they both progress to the Madrid Open quarterfinals.

Jannik Sinner Says Rafa Jodar is a Player to Watch Out for in Future: “He’s Very Talented”

Jannik Sinner, Rafa Jodar (Image via X/4KJANNIK SINNER, Giovanni Pelazzo)

In Short
  • Jannik Sinner praised rising star Rafa Jodar, calling him a talented player to watch for the future.
  • Sinner advanced to the round of 16 at the Madrid Open after defeating Elmer Moller.
  • Carlos Alcaraz is absent from the Madrid Open and Roland Garros due to an injury.

Jannik Sinner has inched closer to his fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title. In the ongoing Madrid Open, the Italian ace registered a comprehensive 6-2, 6-3 victory over Elmer Moller to reach the round of 16 for the second time in his career.

He will next be up against 19th seed Cameron Norrie, whom he will be meeting for the first time in his career. The Brit, a one-time Masters 1000 champion, who is chasing his first title since the 2023 Rio Open, overcame Thiago Agustin Tirante in the previous round.

If Sinner goes past the former World No.8, he could schedule his quarterfinal match against rising Spanish star Rafa Jodar. The wildcard entrant overcame Brazilian sensation Joao Fonseca in three sets to schedule his fourth round match against Vit Kopriva.

He’s a very talented player. There are some very good players from the 2006 generation, like him, Joao Fonseca, and Rei Sakamoto. It’s a very strong year. Jodar is very, very good; he hits the ball very cleanly and generates power with great ease. You can hear the sound when he hits it; it’s incredible. He’s a player to watch for the future, and he’s already showing it. I like his mentality; he’s calm, and I hope he continues to improve. He seems very humble.

Jannik Sinner said at the press conference

Before overcoming Fonseca, Jodar breezed past fifth seed Alex de Minaur, registering his first top 10 win. Jodar, who won the 2024 US Open junior, took home his career’s first ATP title in this year’s Grand Prix Hassan II.

Since they’re young players, I like to watch those matches live, because you don’t see certain things on television. It’s completely different in real life. Jodar has a very beautiful and clean shot. He moves very well. He’s a very strong player, as are many others. I don’t want to compare him to Joao or others, but they’re all incredible players with a lot of talent. I like to be present at those matches to know what awaits us in the future.

Jannik Sinner added

The Madrid Open is the only Masters 1000 event where Sinner has yet to progress to the semifinals. The only time he played in the quarterfinals was in 2024 (gave the walkover to Felix Auger-Aliassime), while last year, he skipped the tournament because of his doping ban.

Jannik Sinner on Carlos Alcaraz’s absence at Roland Garros

While Jannik Sinner is competing for his fourth consecutive title, two-time Madrid Open champion Carlos Alcaraz was forced to skip the tournament because of an injury he suffered during the Barcelona Open. The Spaniard, in fact, has also pulled out of Roland Garros, where he is a two-time reigning champion.

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (4)
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

It was Sinner whom the Spaniard defeated in last year’s French Open final after overcoming a two-set deficit and saving three championship points in the fourth set. Sinner, at the press conference after his latest win, was asked about Alcaraz’s absence and whether he is in contact with the seven-time Grand Slam champion.

That’s quite personal, so I won’t answer that. His absence will definitely be felt not only here, although especially since it’s Spain, but it will be felt even more at Roland Garros.

Before arriving in Madrid, the four-time Major champion beat Alcaraz in the Monte-Carlo Masters final, winning his career’s second clay-court title and improving his head-to-head record over the World No.2 to 7-10. Sinner also became the second man since Novak Djokovic to complete the Sunshine Double by defeating Daniil Medvedev at the Indian Wells Masters and Jiri Lehecka at the Miami Open.

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