Carlos Alcaraz returns from injury aiming for a third consecutive victory at the Madrid Open this week, while Rafael Nadal joins Monday’s draw, but top-seed Novak Djokovic opts out.
Alcaraz makes his European clay-court debut this season after sitting out Monte Carlo and Barcelona due to a right arm injury. The 20-year-old Spaniard kicks off his title defense against either Alexander Shevchenko or Arthur Rinderknech.
Meanwhile, Nadal, a five-time Madrid Open champion, continues his recovery journey, facing American wildcard Darwin Blanch in the opening round. Should he progress, the 22-time Grand Slam winner will confront 10th-seeded Alex de Minaur.
Nadal’s return follows his recent Barcelona Open appearance after a hiatus of over three months. His last Madrid triumph was in 2017, defeating Dominic Thiem in the final.
However, three-time champion Djokovic withdraws from Madrid for the second consecutive year, diminishing his clay-court preparations for the French Open defense.
With the Italian Open in Rome serving as a potential pre-Roland Garros tune-up, Djokovic seeks to refine his clay-court prowess before the Parisian major commences on May 26.
Having yet to secure a title this season, Djokovic’s absence in Madrid alters the dynamics of the tournament. Instead, top-seeded Jannik Sinner, who triumphed over Djokovic in the Australian Open final, opens against Lorenzo Sonego or a qualifier.
Meanwhile, Casper Ruud, fresh off his Barcelona triumph, faces Zhizhen Zhang or Miomir Kecmanovic in the opening round.
On the women’s side, top-ranked Iga Swiatek and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka headline the field, with Swiatek eyeing her maiden title at the clay-court event while aiming for a third consecutive French Open crown.
Swiatek, after a first-round bye, confronts Wang Xiyu or Ana Bogdan, while Sabalenka awaits Elisabetta Cocciaretto or Magda Linette in the second round.
