The term ‘Next Generation’, coined in 2017, refers to the under-21 players destined to be the future stars of world tennis. Among them are Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz and the Italian Jannik Sinner, who are both making huge strides in tennis as they continue to grow in order to make the leap into the big time and the Masters 1000 in the Spanish capital provides them with an ideal opportunity to do just that.

The two young guns of European tennis are now in Madrid to prepare for one of the most important tournaments on the clay swing. The Murcia native, granted a wildcard for the event by the organisers, will train this afternoon to prepare for his Mutua Madrid Open debut, he will do so in the company of Dusan Lajovic, the world No. 37.

Juan Carlos Ferrero’s pupil has already had a taste of what it is to win an ATP Tour match, having introduced himself to the world with a victory over veteran player Albert Ramos on the clay of Rio de Janeiro. Despite not having reached adulthood, Alcaraz has also beaten a top-15 player, the Belgian David Goffin, at the ATP 250 in Melbourne last February. Now he arrives in Madrid hoping for a solid showing on his first appearance.

For his part, Sinner will also be warming up for the competition today with fellow Italian Mateo Berrettini, No. 10 in the world and recent champion on the clay of Belgrade. The 2001-born player broke into the Top 100 in 2019 and continued to climb through the ranks in 2020, now sitting at No. 18 in the ATP ranking. In addition, he reached the French Open quarter-finals on his debut, making him the youngest player to do so since Djokovic in 2006. In Madrid he may continue to break down barriers at his young age and he will be bidding for glory on the banks of the Manzanares.