Hot shots in Madrid: Watch Blockx back-spin, Sinner shoot and more! | ATP Tour

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Hot shots in Madrid: Watch Blockx back-spin, Sinner shoot and more!

And featuring Home hope Jodar, double the magic from the genius of Paul & Cerundolo

April 30, 2026

The Mutua Madrid Open offers unique conditions within the context of the European clay season, with the high altitude of the Spanish capital contributing to fast, exciting tennis on the ‘red clay’.

So how did the world’s top players capitalize on the fast conditions at the ATP Masters 1000 event? From dynamic forehands to reflex volleys and apt-the-net-post magic, ATPTour.com collects the best Hot Shots so far from the 2026 Mutua Madrid Open.

Alexander Blockx produced several moments of magic in his quarter-final upset of Casper Ruud on Thursday in Madrid. Perhaps the highlight of the 21-year-old’s victory was the incredible shot he produced to set up the third game, with the winner’s slow replay highlighting the combination of athleticism and running ability displayed by the Belgian.

Jannik Sinner had a low point against Spaniard Rafael Jodar in the second set of the pair’s quarter-final in Madrid but found a moment of genius on the backhand to avoid danger. Jodar looked poised as he tracked down Sinner’s shot, only for the World No 1 to flick the winner behind him.

Jodar again showed the fans what he is capable of with his run to the last 8 and put the hammer down against Sinner in the second set. The 19-year-old hit a superb forehand, leaving the Italian flailing in the air.

Casper Ruud found himself behind in his fourth round match against Stefanos Tsitsipas but came through when he had a stunning chance to win the second set against Greece. The defending champion hangs in the circle before producing a superb backhand lob. Ruud would go on to save two match points and earn the victory in three sets.

Jiri Lehecka produced a wow moment in the first set of his straight sets win against Lorenzo Musetti in the fourth round. Charging the ball wide in front, the Czech ripped a wonderful forehand past the Italian, who could do nothing but watch.

Francisco Cerundolo found himself in a tough spot during his third round clash with Luciano Darderi, but he handled it with both style and wit. When Darderi’s return just fell over the net but then began to drift back into the Italian side, Cerundolo reached across for a natural-but crucial-touch that earned him a point. It’s a weird looking shot, but it’s totally legal.

Lorenzo Musetti has found his rhythm again in Madrid after an injury-plagued start to 2026, with his backhand once again supporting his game. The 24-year-old produced another impressive performance in that category in his third round match against Tallon Griekspoor, which left both players impressed.

Tommy Paul helped kick off the men’s doubles event in Madrid with a stunning piece of mind-based play on Sunday afternoon. Up against fellow American Ethan Quinn, Paul left both his partner and rivals Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic scratching their heads with a stunning winner off the net-post.

Jiri Lehecka had not one, not two, but three dribbling attempts on Alejandro Tabilo after the Chilean fired into the net during their second round clash on Friday. Tabilo kept herself in the point by deflecting Lehecka’s first two passing shots and then stopped the crowd with a reflex volley that won the point in the third.

Ben Shelton has a habit of keeping the energy on the high court during his matches and the American did just that when he saved a break point against Dino Prizmic on Friday. Shelton responded with a half-volley dropper that left his opponents in disbelief.

Daniel Merida came back from the brink to win his first main-draw in his hometown tournament, where he saved two match points against Marco Trungelliti with a forehand hit so far that he almost missed the TV camera. Argentina’s Trungelliti could stand and applaud, and Merida went on to get an emotional victory.

Yannick Hanfmann followed a cat-and-mouse exchange in net with Marcos Giron by producing one of the expected winners on Day 2 in Madrid. The German met Giron’s smash with a perfectly angled backhand slice to clinch the point.

The sight of #NextGenATP star Rafael Jodar criticizing previous winners quickly became a familiar sight for fans this year in Madrid. The 19-year-old produced a clean example of his trademark, only this time at the bend, on his way to defeating Jesper de Jong for his first hometown Masters 1000 win.