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.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Drinks are on me
" Tsitsipas won a match"

 

[the AntiPusher]

Drinks are on me
" Tsitsipas won a match"

Papa Pas got two code violations called against Stephanos for coaching and talking too much between points .. Good Grief..

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

After his first round loss to Qualifer Daniel Vallejo 64 64, Grigor Dimitrov ranking has drops to #166 in the live ranking, his lowest ranking in over 15 years
He started the clay season with a 2-7 record in 2026
Dimitrov at age 34, maybe it is time to think of retirement, going out of 1st round matches and his ranking keeps plummeting

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Gael Monfils had a great moment at the net with Ugo Carabelli after losing to him today 63 64,
The oldest man to compete at this event. He just played this event for the final time
But he still has the biggest smile you'll ever see!

 

[mrzz]

I destroyed Landaluce's career. Since I said he is a future #1, he lost all his matches I guess. Sorry kiddo, you still have time to look for a new carreer.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I destroyed Landaluce's career. Since I said he is a future #1, he lost all his matches I guess. Sorry kiddo, you still have time to look for a new carreer.

Mrzz dont be soo hard on yourself, though I must say I thought he could win over Aussie Walton, lets see how he fares in Roma

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Hurkacz will play Musetti in R2
Musetti finally looks right after the injury he sustained at the AO
Hubi finally looks to be confident, playing good tennis after the long losing streak. Hubi's serve in the altitude has led to some deep runs before.

Fonseca will play Cilic in R2,
Fun clash of generations in this one, Cilic has had a good year for himself at age 37
Fonseca has been very consistent since IW, only losing to top players at the last 4 events, so he has to be a favorite in this match

Alex de Minaur will play Rafael Jodar in R2,
Jodar has had good form of late, but a nervy start with the expectations in his opening round but survived in 3. I havent liked de Minaur's form the last couple of months, so it does feel closer to 50/50 than it usually would

 

[britbox]

Madrid Day 2 Video Highlights

 

[Fiero425]

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.

The latest tennis news is about Sinner going for record 5 straight Masters' wins; tied w/ Nadal & Djokovic! Personally I don't think it's worth it w/ the FO around the corner! That spindly little body is not going to hold up forever! You see what's happened to Alcaraz; already gone under the knife w/ a wrist injury! Those epic matches are going to take a toll we won't see until m/b a few yrs. down the line; sorta like Michael Chang & Andy Murray among other players needing multiple hip replacements! I won't see it, but wouldn't have a lot of sympathy for their plight! They're making choices I think will cost them later! The money grabs & fame Ho'-dom shouldn't rule them! They're already "SET" for life!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The latest tennis news is about Sinner going for record 5 straight Masters' wins; tied w/ Nadal & Djokovic! Personally I don't think it's worth it w/ the FO around the corner! That spindly little body is not going to hold up forever! You see what's happened to Alcaraz; already gone under the knife w/ a wrist injury! Those epic matches are going to take a toll we won't see until m/b a few yrs. down the line; sorta like Michael Chang & Andy Murray among other players needing multiple hip replacements! I won't see it, but wouldn't have a lot of sympathy for their plight! They're making choices I think will cost them later! The money grabs & fame Ho'-dom shouldn't rule them! They're already "SET" for life!

Your Post is " Incorrect"

Alcaraz Has Not Gone Under The Knife For A Wrist Injury?
Alcaraz is treating the injury identified as a ' Muscle Edema in his pronator teres' and an inflamed tendon sheath, by immbolizing his right wrist in a cast and using anti - inflammatory treatment.