Jannik Sinner Shares If He Thinks Rafael Jodar and Joao Fonseca Could Join Him and Carlos Alcaraz to Form Big 4

Jannik Sinner will face Arthur Fils in his career's first Madrid Open semifinal.

Jannik Sinner Shares If He Thinks Rafael Jodar and Joao Fonseca Could Join Him and Carlos Alcaraz to Form Big 4

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (background), Joao Fonseca (circle, left), Rafael Jodar (circle, right) (Image via Sky Sports, ATP Tour, Punto de Break)

In Short
  • Jannik Sinner acknowledges the emergence of new tennis talents like Rafael Jodar and Joao Fonseca.
  • Sinner defeated Jodar in the Madrid Open quarterfinals, marking Jodar's best performance in a Masters 1000 tournament.
  • Sinner will face Arthur Fils in the semifinals, aiming for his fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title.

Jannik Sinner believes tennis will always see rising stars who will hog the spotlight because so much will be expected from them. At present, the two players who are dominating on the tour are him and his arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz.

But new players who are tipped to join Alcaraz and Sinner to form another Big 3 have already emerged, and they are: Joao Fonseca, Learner Tien, and Arthur Fils. Another teenager joined them in the list: Rafael Jodar.

Sinner faced Jodar in the quarterfinals of the ongoing Madrid Open and secured a 6-2, 7-6(0) win. At the press conference after his win, the Italian ace was asked whether he thinks Jodar and Fonseca could join him and Alcaraz to form another Big 4.

I don’t know. Look, I cannot predict the future. What I always believe is they’re all incredible talents. Being an athlete, you always have a lot of pressure. My advice is always to keep the pressure as much as possible away from the present… even though I know it’s always going to be a lot of talk off the court. At the end of the day, the player has to make the step forward, and then we see.

Jodar made his debut in his home tournament, and his quarterfinal run is now his best performance in a Masters 1000 tournament. En route to his defeat at the hands of the four-time Major champion, Jodar registered his career’s first top 10 win over World No.8 Alex de Minaur in the second round before he battled past Fonseca in the following round.

But what he’s doing is incredible. I wish him only the best. But in the same time don’t push him too much, you know. Because sometimes it’s getting into your head, and it’s very tough to get out. He’s a very, very good kid. He has a great family behind him. The father seems very, very humble. He has a small bubble, which is great for him. I think he’s going to make some incredible results in the future.

Jannik Sinner added

Sinner will next be up against Fils, who downed Jiri Lehecka in straight sets. The World No.1 holds a 1-0 head-to-head record over the Frenchman, defeating him in the semifinal in Montpellier back in 2023. The Italian will be playing in the Madrid Open semifinals for the first time in his career. He has become the sixth player to reach the semifinals of every Masters 1000.

Rafael Jodar on lessons learned after his defeat to Jannik Sinner

Rafael Jodar turned pro this year and has already played a main draw match of a Major. After qualifying for the Australian Open main draw, the 19-year-old reached the second round and lost the match to Jakub Mensik.

Rafael Jodar (2)
Rafael Jodar (Image via Punto de Break)

He made his Masters 1000 main draw debut at Indian Wells and at the ATP 250 Grand Prix Hassan II, he beat Marco Trungelliti to win his career’s first tour-level title before he lost to eventual champion Arthur Fils in the semifinal of the Barcelona Open.

At the press conference after his latest defeat, Jodar was asked about the lessons he learned from his loss to Jannik Sinner.

I think yes, there were moments when I was competing on equal terms, and in the end, that’s what I stick with. I think there is still a long way to continue improving and showing my level, and enhancing that level. I stick with those positive things.

While Jodar, who has reached a career-high No.34 in rankings, will be preparing for the next clay-court event, Sinner will continue his bid for his fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title. He won this year’s Sunshine Double events and the Monte-Carlo Masters.

Also read: Mirra Andreeva Reveals High Heels Wish for Her 19th Birthday After Reaching Madrid Semifinals