The first challenge between Sinner and Jodar: mirror backhands, a common path. It’s the dawn of a rivalry

Get some air first time specialup there at 657 meters above sea level Caja Magica. “An opportunity to be exploited” the son defines it, Rafael Jodar Camacho from Leganésthinking about the growth opportunity of crossing with the tennis father, Jannik Sinner from Sesto Pusteriaand it is the right attitude: the same one that the red baron had Monte Carlo in 2021 in the presence of Djokovicthe first act of the rivalry between totem and heir. Because it is from this game of mirror reflections and concentric references that the best player will emerge.

Jodar-Sinner, today in Madrid, is worth a quarter-final. Whoever prevails will face the winner of the match between the French bull Fils and the Czech Lehecka on Fridaywhich yesterday has eliminated Musetti. But there are well over 200 ranking points up for grabs in the first cross between the world number one and the Spanish boy born in 2006 which is growing in its image and likeness.

We waited Carlitos Alcaraz like in Monte Carlo and instead the tennis gods pull the baby-faced pivot (191 cm) from the deck, who gets excited when in the tunnel leading out of the center he finds Jude Bellingham, idol of his favorite team, Real. TO Jodar the tuna fish is not scary: he trained in the American NCAAmany close range matches, cheering against in the ears, very fast under the soles in fact prefers concrete to eartheven if it is on red that, in these days, is releasing a slow explosion that will, in its own way, reshape the rankings. The 12th victory on the brick dust throws him in front of Sinner, who doesn’t mind the bar being raised: «He’s talented, I’m curious to play against him: it’s good that it happens at least once before Rome and Paris” says Jannik with in mind the ancient and always valid rule of Chris Evert: the first time you face a potential opponent of the future beat him with the most severe score that you can, he will remember it for a long time.

He will start strong with Jodar, on the central, Sinner. Natural backhand against natural backhandon the diagonal of straight ahead there is still no comparisonit will rain from above service stones made more penetrating by the altitude.

Against the southpaw NorrieJannik extracted 81% of points from the first serve, with the aces in Madrid he reached double figures (10) only with Bonzi at the debut. Today is the right day for the leap in quality.

Remember the 19 year old Sinner, Rafa junior coached by Rafa senioralready far ahead in the rankings (n.34 ATP) in just four months of professionalism: always clear-headed, positive, humble, striving towards learning. Only his father is in his corner, even though from Monday he will have a queue of aspiring coaches, managers and press agents lined up outside the door. Behind the scenes, David Ferrer, captain of Davis’ Spain, recommends it; there The Iberian Federation encourages him with wild cards that Jodar has honored so far as a true professional, although until last year he played in the college championship and in the challengers, running aground with his peer Martin Landaluce in the Next Gen Finals group.

In Madrid the new Rafa made the fans forget about Alcaraz’s absence due to injury and took a swipe at the predestined fame that precedes Joao Fonseca, who came out bruised from three sets of the highest level. Jannik Sinner didn’t miss a fifteenth of that match: «I saw it all, in the hotel». 2h07’58” of glimpses into tomorrow, Jannik’s included. “I’m super happy to play a very difficult match, I’ll try to raise my level again and understand what I’m missing.” They seem like Jannik’s words, but instead Rafa said them. “It won’t be the last time we face each other” is Sinner’s premonition. The first, which marks the beginning of a new rivalry, is a dawn rising from Madrid