By reaching the final four in Madrid, Sinner has now reached the semifinals of all nine Masters 1000 tournaments. He becomes only the sixth player to complete the semifinal set, joining Nadal, Djokovic, Federer, Andy Murray, and Alexander Zverev.

Furthermore, Sinner has reached the semifinals of the first four Masters 1000 events of the season (Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo, and Madrid). He joins Federer (2006) and Nadal (2010, 2011) as the only players to achieve this feat while ranked World No. 1.

Sinner chasing the Career Golden Masters

Sinner is currently enjoying a dominant season, having swept all four Masters 1000 titles so far in 2026. He is now on a collision course with history as he seeks the Career Golden Masters—winning all nine Masters 1000 tournaments at least once.

If Sinner triumphs in Madrid and follows it up with a win at the upcoming Rome Masters, he will complete the collection. Currently, Novak Djokovic is the only player in the Open Era to achieve this feat, completing it in 2018 and incredibly repeating the cycle in 2020.

Sinner praises rising star Jodar

The Italian faced a stern test against the 19-year-old local favorite. Jodar’s incredible run in Madrid included his first Top 10 win over Alex de Minaur and a victory over Joao Fonseca. While Sinner cruised through the first set, Jodar pushed the second to a tiebreak. However, Sinner’s experience shone through as he swept the breaker 7-0.

“He pushed me to the limit,” Sinner said of Jodar in his post-match interview. “He’s an incredible player. I tried to be ready as much as I could. I’m incredibly happy; it was a very high-quality match. I got a bit lucky in the second set, but also had a bit of experience. I’m obviously very happy to be in the semis here for the first time. It means a lot to me”.

Following his late-night clash, the World No. 1-elect had pointed words for the ATP regarding the grueling schedule at Madrid Open. “I think we need to make some adjustments with scheduling,” Sinner told reporters. “Two matches [starting] after 8:00 PM is very late. Even with a day in between, you finish at 1:30 AM, then you have to eat and get treatment. It’s very late.“

While Sinner noted that players “try to adapt our bodies and minds,” his comments add to a growing chorus of stars calling for a structural overhaul of late-night sessions in professional tennis.

Dominance on the dirt: Sinner’s Madrid run

Sinner has been nearly untouchable in the Spanish capital. Through three rounds, the most recent against Norrie, he has dropped just one set, leveraging a high-octane serve and clinical baseline play, showing why he is the number 1, which is secured until Wimbledon at least.

As he closes in on what would be his second career clay-court title, the stats reflect a player at the peak of his powers:

The road ahead

The Italian superstar will face Spain’s Rafael Jodar on Wednesday in a high-stakes quarterfinal. A win would propel Sinner into the final four and further solidify his status as the man to beat on the ATP Tour.

With the Italian Open in Rome looming and Roland Garros just around the corner, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With Alcaraz’s status uncertain for the coming weeks, Sinner has a golden opportunity to sweep the clay season and capture his first-ever French Open title.

With Alcaraz sidelined and eyeing a potential return at Wimbledon, the points Sinner stands to gain at the Italian Open and Roland Garros will provide a more than sufficient cushion. The Spaniard’s absence from the clay-court swing leaves a vacuum at the top of the draw, allowing Sinner to extend a lead that was already historically formidable.

While the math is settled, Sinner remains focused on the competitive landscape rather than the spreadsheets. When asked about the impact of Alcaraz’s absence and whether he personally misses the rivalry on court, the World No. 1 offered a measured, somewhat guarded response to the media.

“I think that’s quite personal, so I won’t answer. His absence is felt not just here—especially here in Spain—but it’ll probably be felt even more at Roland Garros,” said Sinner, who also dismissed the ‘favorite’ label ahead of the French Open.

Sinner poised to guard top spot past Wimbledon

Even with the rankings pressure lifted, Sinner has a prime opportunity to bury the competition while Alcaraz recovers. By securing just 710 additional points, the Italian will ensure he remains out of reach for the Spaniard well into the grass-court season.

The rankings projection remains grim for the rest of the field; even if Alcaraz returns to peak form for a Wimbledon title run, Sinner is projected to sit at 14,060 points compared to Alcaraz’s 12,960. That 1,100-point gap acts as a vital insurance policy, ensuring Sinner’s name stays at the top of the entry lists regardless of the results in London.

Next objective: A breakthrough in Paris

With the reigning Roland Garros champion sidelined, Sinner faces his best opportunity yet to conquer the red clay of Paris. A victory at the French Open would not only add a second major to his trophy case but would further solidify his era of dominance.

Historically, clay has been Sinner’s most challenging surface, but his recent breakthrough at the Monte Carlo Masters proved he has evolved into an all-court threat. While he isn’t yet chasing a career Grand Slam, a win in Paris would put him halfway to that historic milestone and cement his status as the undisputed man to beat in 2026.

[Watch Jannik Sinner vs Elmer Moller live in the USA on Fubo]

Riding a dominant stretch that includes titles at Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte Carlo, Jannik Sinner enters this tournament as one of the hottest players on tour and is firmly in pursuit of yet another Masters 1000 crown in a historic 2026 campaign.

Standing in his way is qualifier Elmer Moller, who has impressed with a strong run highlighted by a notable victory over Gabriel Diallo, but now faces a significant step up in competition against one of the sport’s elite performers.

When will the Jannik Sinner vs Elmer Moller match be played?

Jannik Sinner squares off with Elmer Moller in the 2026 Madrid Open third round this Sunday, April 26. The action will start at 10:00 AM (ET).

Jannik Sinner vs Elmer Moller: Time by State in the USA

ET: 10:00 AM
CT: 9:00 AM
MT: 8:00 AM
PT: 7:00 AM

How to watch Jannik Sinner vs Elmer Moller in the USA

Don’t miss this electrifying 2026 Madrid Open clash between Jannik Sinner and Elmer Moller live on Fubo. Other options: Tennis Channel.

“I don’t know. I think this is not what we should talk about,” Sinner stated firmly during a press conference at the Madrid Masters, when asked if Alcaraz’s absence paved a clear path for him in Paris.

With Alcaraz sidelined, Sinner faces a massive opportunity to secure his first Roland Garros title and complete the elusive Career Grand Slam. Having already triumphed at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, the clay-court major is the final piece of the puzzle.

Standing in his way are heavyweights like Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic—the latter being the last man to defeat Sinner in a Grand Slam match (Australian Open 2026 semifinals).

‘Tennis needs Alcaraz,’ says Sinner

Far from celebrating the absence of his greatest rival, Sinner emphasized that the sport is diminished when the Spaniard is not on court. He noted that the competitive spirit of the tour is simply better when Alcaraz is healthy and participating.

“I think the most important thing to say is that, first of all, tennis needs Carlos—tennis has a much better spirit when he’s around,” Sinner added. “Also for me personally, it’s nice when he’s around; it makes me look at the draw and individual matches in a different way”.

When could Alcaraz return?

With his absences confirmed for both the Rome Masters and Roland Garros, Alcaraz is now targeting a return for the grass-court season, specifically aiming to be fit for Wimbledon.

Medical experts expect the current World No. 2 to participate in warm-up tournaments to find his rhythm before the year’s second Grand Slam in England. His most likely comeback event is the Queen’s Club Championships, where he would be looking to defend the title he captured in 2025.

Sinner recently joined the elite company of Djokovic and Nadal by winning four straight Masters 1000 trophies. His current streak includes victories at Paris (2025), Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte-Carlo (2026).

While Nadal achieved a four-title streak in 2013 and Djokovic accomplished the feat three times throughout his career, neither was able to reach five in a row without an interruption in participation.

Sinner with a huge chance to gain ground in the ATP Rankings

The Italian star possesses a prime opening to amplify his lead in the standings and cement his status as World No. 1 for the foreseeable future. Following the withdrawal of Carlos Alcaraz and Djokovic from the Madrid Masters, Sinner has emerged as the clear frontrunner to claim the trophy.

Sinner maintains a distinct tactical edge: he carries no point-protection obligations for this event, having missed the 2025 edition. Consequently, he faces zero risk of a points deduction and stands to accumulate up to 1,000 fresh points by clinching the championship, vastly increasing the numerical cushion between himself and his Spanish rival.

When is Sinner playing?

With the qualifying rounds concluded, the world’s top-ranked player now knows his path forward. Sinner is scheduled to make his 2026 Madrid Masters debut against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi on Friday, April 24, with the match expected to begin around 10 AM ET.

Looking ahead at the Italian’s projected journey through the bracket, he could face a challenging Round of 16 encounter with Tommy Paul before potentially meeting Joao Fonseca or Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals.

“Right now he’s going through a tough moment, but we hope to see him back on court very soon, maybe in Rome. When you want to win, you want to win against the best players,” Sinner told Mediaset when asked about Alcaraz’s recent injury setbacks.

The duo has forged the most anticipated rivalry on the ATP Tour, drawing inevitable comparisons to the legendary battles between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal that defined the sport before Novak Djokovic ascended to his place in history.

This modern-day rivalry has fans and analysts alike speculating on the future of the sport. In the immediate future, however, Sinner has a golden opportunity to chase Masters 1000 history while Alcaraz remains sidelined.

Alcaraz provides grim injury update

Despite the celebratory atmosphere, Alcaraz arrived at the Laureus ceremony with his right wrist heavily immobilized, immediately fueling concerns regarding his status for Roland Garros. The World No. 3 didn’t mince words when discussing the severity of the issue.

“As everyone saw in Barcelona, after a return, I felt my wrist give out and the discomfort just kept increasing. We saw the results of the exams today, and it’s a bit more serious than we initially expected,” Alcaraz admitted to reporters.

Alcaraz emphasized that he will prioritize his long-term well-being, indicating he is prepared to skip Roland Garros if his wrist is not completely healed. If he remains out, the spotlight in Paris will shift almost entirely to Sinner and the veteran Djokovic.

Sinner eyes the Mutua Madrid Open

With Alcaraz officially out of the upcoming Masters 1000 event in Madrid, Sinner is looking to capitalize on a tournament where he has historically struggled to find his best form.

For the Italian, Madrid serves as a crucial testing ground to refine his game on the clay, a surface that has remained the final frontier in his quest for ATP dominance.

Currently, Sinner, Djokovic, and Nadal are the only players in the Open Era to have won four consecutive Masters 1000 titles. The distinction lies in the frequency: the Serbian legend achieved this feat on three separate occasions (2013-14, 2014-15, and 2015-16), while the Spaniard accomplished it in 2013.

Sinner joined this elite group following his recent string of victories in Paris, Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte-Carlo. If he triumphs in Madrid, he would become the first player to win five consecutive titles at this level. While Djokovic previously won five tournaments in a row in 2011 and 2015, those streaks were interrupted by non-participation in Monte-Carlo and Madrid, respectively.

Will Sinner participate in the Madrid Masters?

Despite having an incredible opportunity to etch his name into the history books, Sinner’s participation in Madrid remains unconfirmed. Following his victory at the Monte-Carlo Masters, the Italian noted that he would take a few days of rest and evaluate the decision to play in Madrid with his team.

Regardless of his final decision, Sinner is still expected to travel to the city. According to the Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, the World No. 1 will attend the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards at Cibeles Palace, with a final decision on his tournament status expected in the coming days.

Sinner could extend his lead in the ATP Rankings

After reclaiming the World No. 1 spot following his Monte-Carlo triumph, Sinner has a golden opportunity to extend his lead over Carlos Alcaraz. Having missed last year’s edition, the Italian has zero points to defend in Madrid, meaning he could add up to 1,000 points to his total with a title win.

Alcaraz was in a similar position, having also missed the 2025 tournament. However, following his recent withdrawal due to injury, the Spaniard will now have to focus on defending his points at the upcoming Rome Masters instead.

“Madrid, unfortunately I won’t be able to compete Mutua Madrid Open this year. I’m continuing my recovery in order to be back soon. Hasta pronto!” Djokovic announced via his official X (formerly Twitter) account.

Djokovic last competed on March 11, where he suffered a 6-4, 4-6, 6-7(5) defeat to Jack Draper in the Round of 16 at the Indian Wells Masters. The 24-time Grand Slam champion is reportedly prioritizing reaching peak physical condition in time for the 2026 Roland Garros.

Alcaraz drops out too

Carlos Alcaraz’s recent wrist injury, which forced his withdrawal from the Barcelona Open, has cast a shadow over his availability for the Madrid Masters, scheduled for April 22 to May 3.

Finally, the Spaniard recently announced through his social media that he will not be able to participate in the tournament. “There is news that is incredibly hard to share. Madrid is home, one of the most special places on the calendar for me, and that’s why it hurts so much not to be able to play here for the second year in a row…” Alcaraz wrote.

Sinner’s situation

On the other side, World No. 1 Jannik Sinner indicated after his Monte-Carlo Masters victory that he would take some time off to evaluate his schedule with his team before committing to Madrid.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian still plans to travel to the Spanish capital to attend the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards at Cibeles Palace. A final decision regarding his participation in the Masters 1000 is expected shortly after the ceremony.

When could Djokovic be back?

In his announcement, Djokovic did not specify which tournament would mark his return to the tour. However, in 2025, the Serb opted to skip the Rome Masters after an early exit in Madrid to save himself for Roland Garros—a strategy that saw him reach the semifinals before falling to Sinner. With the World No. 4 hungry for a 25th Grand Slam title, perhaps he will employ a similar calculated approach this season to maximize his chances in Paris.

While Sinner currently holds 13,350 points, Alcaraz entered Barcelona with 12,910 points, defending 330 points from his runner-up finish in 2025. Had the Spaniard captured the title, he would have surpassed the Italian by just 60 points.

Instead, having only won his opening match against Otto Virtanen before withdrawing, Alcaraz dropped 280 points. Following the next ATP Ranking update, he will sit at 12,630 points.

Does Alcaraz have a chance to retake the No.1 spot?

The next major event on the calendar is the Madrid Masters 1000, where both Alcaraz and Sinner have a chance to significantly bolster their totals. Neither player competed in the 2024 edition, meaning they have zero points to defend.

However, Alcaraz’s injury puts his Madrid participation in jeopardy, potentially giving Sinner a golden opportunity to extend his lead. But Sinner’s own status remains slightly uncertain too; following his victory in Monte-Carlo, the Italian indicated he would take a few days off to evaluate with his team whether he will compete in Madrid.

As a result, the only significant points both players have to defend will be at the subsequent Masters in Rome. In the 2025 edition, Sinner returned to action following a three-month suspension and faced Alcaraz in the final. The Spaniard emerged victorious, which means that while the Italian will be defending 600 points, Alcaraz must defend 1,000.

When could Alcaraz return?

When Alcaraz announced his withdrawal from the Barcelona Open, he sparked serious concern by stating, “it’s a slightly more serious injury than we all expected”. While there are no specific details regarding his recovery timeline yet, his ultimate goal is to arrive at Roland Garros in peak condition.

With the French Open running from May 24 to June 7, there is a distinct possibility the World No. 2 could skip the Madrid Masters and potentially Rome if he requires more time to heal.

“Congratulations Jannik Sinner and your team for the title, a spectacular run! We keep moving forward; there is a long way to go in this clay swing! Next stop, Barcelona!” Alcaraz posted to his X account shortly after the trophy ceremony.

Alcaraz struggled to find an answer for Sinner’s clinical form, as the Italian dictated play for much of the afternoon, particularly during the critical middle stages of the set. Despite the frustration on court, the Spaniard remained a class act, offering a sincere and graceful concession to his rival.

Coming off a string of speculation following a premature exit at the Miami Open—where even Rafael Nadal stepped in to defend the former World No. 1—Alcaraz silenced many doubters with his run to the final. Ultimately, however, he simply ran into a version of Sinner that played near-flawless tennis when it mattered most.

Key highlights in the Monte Carlo final

Alcaraz leaned on his elite clay-court craft, attempting to manipulate the surface where he has long been the ATP’s standard-bearer. However, Sinner consistently neutralized that variety with devastating cross-court forehands that pinned Alcaraz deep behind the baseline.

After Alcaraz threatened to take control early, Sinner appeared poised to force a deciding set, finding his rhythm as the match progressed. A pivotal turning point arrived at 4-4 in the second set; while Alcaraz’s signature transition from defense to offense kept him within striking distance, Sinner’s relentless pace eventually proved too much to overcome.

Statistically, the match hinged on the serve; Alcaraz managed to win 78% of his first-serve points, a mark that helped him survive several of Sinner’s aggressive return games. With the Monte Carlo trophy decided, both stars now shift their focus to the upcoming challenges in Barcelona as the road to Roland Garros intensifies.