Jannik Sinner will play Rafael Jodar in the 2026 Madrid Open quarter-finals.
Before the match, Sinner trained on Manolo Santana with his coach Darren Cahill.
During the training session, Cahill spoke to tournament director Feliciano Lopez.
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Sky Sports pundit Colin Fleming has now shared what Cahill was speaking to Lopez about.
Jannik Sinner’s coach Darren Cahill asked Feliciano Lopez about the ‘light’ in the stadium
“[Jannik] Sinner, interestingly for me, it’s going to be the first time, we think, playing with the roof closed, rainy day here in Madrid, unfortunately,” said Fleming.
“So I think that means just getting used to a different environment, quite warm, quite humid.
“Also, a really interesting discussion a moment ago between the tournament director, Feliciano Lopez, and his coach, Darren Cahill.
“They were talking about the light inside the arena.
“Cahill, maybe feeling it was a little dim, asking Sinner, he felt it was okay.
“But I think maybe just tuning it up slightly.
“So it just shows, for me, the input that some of the top players and their teams can have, even discussing things in that detail.”
Fleming continued, previewing the first career meeting between Sinner and Jodar.
“With the roof closed, Sinner very much going through his paces, getting used to the environment here,” he said.
“I think it will play a little heavier, a little slower than maybe had it been a nice warm day, clear sky, we know about the altitude in Madrid…
“But he’s well used to adjusting to conditions, isn’t he.
“Jodar, such a big ball striker, that’s really caught my eye so far in this tournament. I think there is going to be some big hitting in the back of the court between these two, but really looking forward to a big battle, a great atmosphere, and Jannik Sinner will no doubt be ready for it.”
Sinner will walk on court as the favourite, but will be wary of the weapons Jodar possesses.
How well have Jannik Sinner and Rafael Jodar played on clay this year?
The Italian and Spaniard (not that one) have both won a title on clay this year.
Sinner won the Monte Carlo Masters earlier this month and has continued his winning streak in Madrid, reaching the quarter-finals.
Jannik Sinner’s clay-court record in 2026 (8-0)
- Monte Carlo Masters 2R [WIN] vs Ugo Humbert, 6-3, 6-0
- Monte Carlo Masters 3R [WIN] vs Tomas Machac, 6-1, 6-7, 6-3
- Monte Carlo Masters QF [WIN] vs Felix Auger-Aliassime, 6-3, 6-4
- Monte Carlo Masters SF [WIN] vs Alexander Zverev, 6-1, 6-4
- Monte Carlo Masters F [WIN] vs Carlos Alcaraz, 7-6, 6-3
- Madrid Open 2R [WIN] vs Benjamin Bonzi, 6-7, 6-1, 6-4
- Madrid Open 3R [WIN] vs Elmer Moller, 6-2, 6-3
- Madrid Open 4R [WIN] vs Cameron Norrie, 6-2, 7-5
Jodar, on the other hand, won his first ATP title in Morocco before reaching the semi-finals in Barcelona.
The 19-year-old has a chance to reach three consecutive tour-level semi-finals when he takes on the world number one.
Rafael Jodar’s record on clay in 2026 (12-1)
- Grand Prix Hassan II 1R [WIN] vs Dusan Lajovic, 6-3, 6-4
- Grand Prix Hassan II 2R [WIN] vs Tomas Machac, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
- Grand Prix Hassan II QF [WIN] vs Alexandre Muller, 6-2, 2-0 (RET)
- Grand Prix Hassan II SF [WIN] vs Camilo Ugo Carabelli, 6-2, 6-1
- Grand Prix Hassan II F [WIN] vs Marco Trungelliti, 6-3, 6-2
- Barcelona Open 1R [WIN] vs Jaume Munar, 6-1, 6-2
- Barcelona Open 2R [WIN] vs Camilo Ugo Carabelli, 6-3, 6-3
- Barcelona Open QF [WIN] vs Cameron Norrie, 6-3, 6-2
- Barcelona Open SF [LOSS] vs Arthur Fils, 6-3, 3-6, 2-6
- Madrid Open 1R [WIN] vs Jesper De Jong, 2-6, 7-5, 6-4
- Madrid Open 2R [WIN] vs Alex de Minaur, 6-3, 6-1
- Madrid Open 3R [WIN] vs Joao Fonseca, 7-6, 4-6, 6-1
- Madrid Open 4R [WIN] vs Vit Kopriva, 7-5, 6-0
But what has Jodar said about his quarter-final opponent?
Rafael Jodar shares his thoughts on Jannik Sinner ahead of QF match in Madrid
After Jodar defeated Vit Kopriva in the fourth round, he was asked for his thoughts on the world number one.
“It will be a great match,” Jodar told Sky Sports.
“It’s going to be my first time playing against Jannik, so it will be a great match, and I hope I can give my best level in that match.”
Jodar and Sinner will battle it out for a place in the Madrid Open semi-finals on Wednesday, April 29.
The winner will meet either Arthur Fils or Jiri Lehecka in the last four.
