The top-seeded Italian’s decision sends Felix Auger-Aliassime through to the semis via walkover. 
Jannik Sinner struggled with hip soreness in Madrid, battling into his first quarterfinal appearance on the red clay of Spain. Now, the Italian has pulled the plug, in order to get his body right.
The Italian announced the news via the tournament website on Wednesday – he will forgo Thursday’s quarterfinal in Madrid, sending Felix Auger-Aliassime into the semis via walkover.
Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Mutua Madrid Open with a right-hip injury. As a result, he will not take to the court on Thursday to play his quarter-final match against Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Get well soon, @janniksin 😘 pic.twitter.com/iWFdtEgWrC
— #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) May 1, 2024
Sinner felt pain in his third-round win over Pavel Kotov, and again as he defeated Karen Khachanov in the round of 16. He was open about the issue, saying that he has been struggling with the injury but adding that his team has it under control.
“Very sad to have to withdraw from my next match here in Madrid,” Sinner later posted on X. “My hip has been bothering me this week and has slowly been getting more painful. Taking the advice from the doctors we decided it’s best to not play further and make it worse.”
Very sad to have to withdraw from my next match here in Madrid. My hip has been bothering me this week and has slowly been getting more painful. Taking the advice from the doctors we decided it’s best to not play further and make it worse. pic.twitter.com/QJX9WVA4Np
— Jannik Sinner (@janniksin) May 1, 2024
It remains to be seen if Sinner will be ready for Rome, but his decision to pull out is likely influenced by his strong desire to ensure that he is ready to appear in the Italian capital next week.