Sinner Celebrates Jodar & Fellow #NextGenATP Stars: ‘This is a Remarkable Year’
World No. 1 discussed the emergence of 19-year-old Jodar on a lively Sunday in Madrid
April 26, 2026
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Jannik Sinner reflects on Rafael Jodar’s impressive growth at the Mutua Madrid Open.
By Jerome Coombe
As he aims to solidify his reign as the No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Jannik Sinner’s attention also extends to tennis’s promising newcomers.
Following an impressive victory over Elmer Moller in the third round of the Mutua Madrid Open, marking his 19th consecutive win, Sinner shared insights about one of the tour’s brightest young talents: Rafael Jodar. The 19-year-old from Madrid is riding a wave of success, having claimed his first title in Marrakech and reached the semi-finals in Barcelona, along with advancing to the third round at the prestigious ATP Masters 1000 event in his hometown.
“He’s an exceptionally talented player,” Sinner remarked about Jodar, who is set to face off against fellow 19-year-old Joao Fonseca later that evening. “He was warming up today alongside Nicolai [Budkov Kjaer], the Norwegian talent. Born in 2006, this group—Joao, Jodar, Nicolai, and [Rei] Sakamoto—are all outstanding players, making this a remarkable year for the sport.
“Jodar has a beautifully clean hitting style and generates effortless power. You can hear the impressive sound of his racquet. He is incredibly talented and is already showcasing his potential. I admire his calm demeanor; he comes across as very humble. He’s certainly a player to watch, and I wish him all the best.”
Sinner’s admiration goes beyond mere words; he was courtside on Friday to witness Jodar’s thrilling upset over fifth seed Alex de Minaur in a vibrant atmosphere at Manolo Santana Stadium.
Jodar is part of a larger wave of #NextGenATP players that has captured Sinner’s attention, which also includes Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, Rei Sakamoto, and Fonseca. All four have qualified for the 2026 PIF ATP Next Gen Accelerator, a program designed to provide additional opportunities for the brightest upcoming talents through various pathways, including junior and collegiate competitions.
While this new generation gathers steam, Sinner continues to make history in his own right. Holding a remarkable streak of 24 consecutive wins at the ATP Masters 1000 level, he has surpassed former greats Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, who had 23. Sinner is now closing in on Djokovic’s all-time high of 31 wins (2011) and Federer’s 29 (2005-06). Despite this success, the 24-year-old remains humble.
“I can’t compare myself to those legends,” Sinner acknowledged when discussing his rising records. “They’ve achieved so much in their careers, while I’m simply at the outset. They are on an entirely different level. I’m just grateful to be here, eager to compete as much as possible. My focus is on giving my all in each match. Winning is great, but if I fall short, I take solace in knowing I gave it my best.”
Up next, Sinner aims for his fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title as he faces 19th seed Cameron Norrie in what will be their inaugural Lexus ATP Head2Head matchup.
