The biggest stars of the ATP Tour have again circled one of the biggest stops on the clay swing in red; the Mutua Madrid Open. The Manolo Santana Stadium is decked out and ready to welcome the best tennis players in the world, meaning the Spanish capital will enjoy two weeks of world-class sport. In the heart of the European clay season, the chance to compete for one of the most coveted trophies always translates into a stellar line-up and the fans in the Caja Magica welcome them with open arms. The time has come to put on a show, and there will be no shortage of candidates to provide it.
The Spanish flags will be flying in the stands for Carlos Alcaraz, whose goal will be to regain the throne two years after last claiming it. The Murcia native, who is bidding to lift the trophy for the third time in the last four years, will be competing in Madrid with a new aura of invincibility this season. He is the French Open champion, the man to beat on the surface at just 22, however it is a label that could prove a burden in an emotional Caja Magica. Nobody has ever completed their hattrick at the tournament at such a young age, but the player from El Palmar is rewriting history at an astonishing rate. At an event that stokes the fire in his belly, Carlos will be hoping to send out a clear message; Madrid is only for the greats.
One of the most anticipated appearances will be that of Alexander Zverev, a player who is currently enjoying the best years of his career. The German two-time champion arrives in the Spanish capital with a chance to ascend No. 1 in the world for the first time in his career. Having shaken off an ankle injury that threatened to sideline him, the Hamburg native has again become one of the biggest names in the locker room. His triumphs in 2018 and 2021 are still fresh in the memory in the Caja Magica, where he has produced some of the most spectacular performances in recent years. Last year’s runner-up at Roland Garros will be a tough man to topple on the clay of Madrid, a place he knows like the back of his hand.
The responsibility of defending the crown falls on the shoulders of Andrey Rublev, who provided a memorable story at last year’s tournament. His intensity on court, with one of the most feared forehands on tour as his biggest weapon, was a sight to behold in 2024, when nobody was able to stop him. At 27 years of age, having become a practically ever-present member of the world’s Top 10, his ability to fight for the biggest tournaments has finally come into fruition. He has won a Masters 1000 title in both of the last two seasons; who is to say that Fernando Vicente’s pupil won’t be marauding into the latter rounds again this year.
A prestigious crown
The Mutua Madrid Open is a place where success has always been reserved for the best players. All players who have lifted the trophy in the Caja Magica have been world No. 1 at some point in their careers, with the exception of David Nalbandian (2007), Zverev (2018, 2021) and Rublev (2024). However, this trio have all been at least members of the Top 5 in the ATP Rankings.
Among all of the big names to have won the crown in the Manolo Santana Stadium, that of Novak Djokovic stands out. Although the Serb has now gone six years without tasting victory in the Caja Magica, his ability to find solutions has been a constant throughout his career. He produced one of his greatest feats on clay last year, claiming Olympic gold in Paris to fill the only gap in his trophy cabinet. At almost 38, and with a legendary career already sealed, his collection of silverware includes three titles from Madrid.
Ones to watch
The altitude of the Spanish capital means that some players who are perhaps less adept on clay may feel slightly more at home. One such man who seems particularly comfortable on the surface is Daniil Medvedev, whose last title on tour made him the emperor of Rome. Few can boast his natural ability and coming in under the radar could make him something of a dark horse. His return from the tournament has improved year upon year, last year’s quarter-finals being his best finish. If he continues to trend in the right direction, 2025 could be Daniil’s year.
With such a strong line-up, there is plenty of reason to think somebody might break with tradition in Madrid. The groundstrokes of Casper Ruud, one of the most respected clay players, or the versatility of Stefanos Tsitsipas, a multiple Masters 1000 champion on the surface and former finalist in the Caja Magica, will ensure there will be no shortage of quality tennis at the Mutua Madrid Open. Both men have a connection with Spain that will make them, in some ways, ‘home’ players at one of the biggest events on the calendar.
That group of contenders hoping to break the mould includes a few players who are in the form of their lives. Talents such as Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton and Alex de Minaur, all capable of producing when tennis is injected with a little extra velocity, cannot be ruled out. Their presence in the paths of the top seeds is guaranteed to throw up some thrilling clashes in the Spanish capital, where fans are thirsty for more unforgettable matches.
At a tournament where home players are spurred on with particular affection, Madrid will welcome a healthy group of Spaniards. Those such as Pedro Martínez, who is more mature than ever having recently become a father; Alejandro Davidovich, one of the world’s most spectacular players; and a reborn Pablo Carreño, finally injury-free, will all be looking to ride the wave of home support in the Caja Magica.
The thrills and spills of the ATP Tour will be in Madrid for the next two weeks. Strap yourself in and enjoy!
