Jannik Sinner says Alcaraz’s absence from Madrid Open ‘tough to swallow’

• Injured Alcaraz out of event for second year in a row

• ‘It is different when Carlos and Novak are not in the draw’

Jannik Sinner described Carlos Alcaraz’s injury withdrawal from the Madrid Open as “tough to swallow” for the tournament and believes the absence of his greatest rival will make a big difference as he tries to win a record fifth straight Masters title.

“It’s a very tough thing for the tournament,” said Sinner. “Last year he didn’t play, so twice in a row is tough. And also Novak [Djokovic] is not here, it’s tough to swallow for the tournament. It is always different when Carlos and Novak are not in the draw. I would say [this situation is] unique because we have shared since last year a lot of tournaments.”

Alcaraz was forced to withdraw from this week’s Madrid Open, the biggest tournament in his home country, for the second year in a row after sustaining a right wrist injury in his opening round match at the Barcelona Open last week. On Monday, Alcaraz wore a cast on his wrist as he attended the Laureus Sports Awards in Madrid and won the World Sportsman of the Year award.

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