The clay-court season kicks off with the Madrid Open, a WTA 1000 event that draws the best players to Spain`s capital.
Madrid is set to host its 16th edition, maintaining its status as a premier tournament. Nearly all of the world`s Top 50 female tennis players will compete for the coveted singles title at the Caja Magica.
The main draw action begins on Tuesday, April 22nd, culminating in the singles final on Saturday, May 3rd, and the doubles final on Sunday, May 4th. The singles champion will be awarded close to one million Euros and 1000 valuable ranking points.
Key Tournament Details:
- Main-Draw Start Date: Tuesday, April 22
- Singles Final: Saturday, May 3, not before 5:30 p.m.
- Doubles Final: Sunday, May 4 at 2:30 p.m.
- Qualifying Dates: Monday, April 21 and Tuesday, April 22
- Main-Draw Ceremony: Sunday, April 20 at 6:00 pm
- Singles Main-Draw Size: 96 players (including 12 qualifiers and 8 wild cards); first-round byes for the 32 seeds
- Doubles Main-Draw Size: 32 teams
- Time Zone: Central European Summer Time (BST +1, EST +6)
- Tournament Ball: Dunlop Fort Clay Court
Ranking Points and Prize Money:
First round: 10 points | €20,820
Second round: 35 points | €30,895
Third round: 65 points | €52,925
Round of 16: 120 points | €90,445
Quarterfinals: 215 points | €165,670
Semifinals: 390 points | €291,040
Finalist: 650 points | €523,870
Champion: 1000 points | €985,030
Champions Reel: Iga Swiatek`s Madrid 2024 Victory
Key Storylines to Watch:
- World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, known for her hard-court prowess, has secured two clay-court titles, both in Madrid. Notably, she defeated the then World No. 1 in both instances: Ashleigh Barty in 2021 and Iga Swiatek in 2023. Her Madrid record stands at 17-4.
- Another Madrid title for Sabalenka would tie her with Petra Kvitova for the most wins at this tournament. Kvitova has won three times (2011, 2015, and 2018).
- Defending champion and World No. 2 Iga Swiatek has a strong Madrid record of 13-2. Last year, she claimed her first Madrid title, defeating Sabalenka in a thrilling final, saving three championship points.
- Three Americans are seeded in the Top 5: No. 3 Jessica Pegula, No. 4 Coco Gauff, and No. 5 Madison Keys. Pegula reached the final in Madrid in 2022, her first WTA 1000 final, where she was runner-up to Ons Jabeur.
- Petra Kvitova, a three-time champion, is entered using her special ranking after returning from maternity leave. She seeks her first match win after losses in Austin, Indian Wells, and Miami, and Madrid could be the place for a turnaround.
- Spain`s Top 10 player, World No. 9 Paula Badosa, reached the Madrid semifinals as a wild card in 2021. Her fitness is uncertain due to a back injury that forced her withdrawal from Miami and kept her out of Indian Wells, Charleston, and Stuttgart.
- Former Madrid champions in this year’s draw include Sabalenka, Swiatek, Jabeur, and Kvitova. The inaugural Madrid champion, Dinara Safina (2009), is also expected to be present as coach to World No. 13 Diana Shnaider.
Stay tuned for further updates as the Madrid Open approaches!
Rupert Caldwell