Sinner on Adapting to Madrid’s “Unique Playground”

By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, April 25, 2026
Photo credit: Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters Facebook

Clay-court capitals carry iconic branding.

Rome is the Eternal City. Paris is the City of Light.

And now, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner brands Madrid as the perpetual playground.

Playing for a record fifth consecutive ATP Masters 1000 championship at this Mutua Madrid Open, Sinner said Madrid’s higher elevation, higher bouncing balls and slippier red clay makes this the most unique and unpredictable of premier clay tournaments.

“It’s a little bit more slippery, the court. It’s a bit tougher to move,” Sinner said after posting his 18th straight victory in his Mutua Madrid Open opener. “The ball is flying a little bit more. It’s quite fast, depending upon when there is the sun.

“I practiced the first day, it was evening, so it’s a bit different. When someone is serving very well it’s not easy to return. Yeah, it’s a very unique playground here.”

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Wimbledon winner Sinner is playing for his maiden Mutua Madrid Open championship. Reigning Rome and Roland Garros champion Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal from those two events due to a right wrist injury means Sinner will be a massive favorite at both the Italian Open and French Open.

Disparate conditions mean Madrid isn’t always the best predictor for Paris success, but Monte-Carlo champion Sinner said he’s eager to sharpen his skills in preparation for his quest to win Roland Garros and complete the career Grand Slam at age 24 just five months after the 22-year-old Alcaraz made history winning the Australian Open to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam.

“[Madrid is] very different than Rome and Paris. This is a clay court tournament by itself, I feel like,” Sinner said. “But I’m happy to be here, happy to put myself in the position. I also need to improve a couple of things if I want to go further.”