The best players in the world will be back in the Caja Mágica again this year to play the 2023 Mutua Madrid Open, from 24 April to 7 May, having confirmed their presence on Tuesday on the list of names signed up to play the ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 tournaments.

In a season in which there are some big changes to the format, such as an increase in the number of days of competition – from eight to twelve – and the size of the men’s and women’s draws – to 96 players –, the stars will once again be showing off their prowess on the Madrid clay.

The men’s list is headed by Carlos Alcaraz, the champion of last year’s event, who will be back in the Manolo Santana Stadium to defend his crown. Another name that jumps off the page is that of Rafael Nadal, the man with more titles from the event than any other player, with five. Novak Djokovic, a three-time champion, completes the podium.

Other great players such as Alexander Zverev, twice a winner in the Spanish capital, 2019 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev, the only active player who has been world No. 1 and is yet to lift the trophy in Madrid, will be among the candidates for glory this year.

Top-10 young guns, such as Holger Rune (19 years of age), Jannik Sinner (21) and Felix Auger-Aliassime (22), also adorn the list.    

In the women’s competition, Iga Swiatek will be the hot favourite as she bids to claim the only big clay trophy missing from her resumé. Hot on her heels will be 2021 champion and this season’s Australian Open winner Aryna Sabalenka.

Among the players to have already lifted the trophy to the Madrid sky is Ons Jabeur, who will be defending the title she claimed with such aplomb last year. Petra Kvitova, the queen of Madrid with three crowns to her name, will be hoping to navigate an ever-demanding draw as she bids for a fourth. 

Hopefuls such as Elena Rybakina, who won her first WTA 1000 in Indian Wells this year, and the ever-dangerous Maria Sakkari, Belinda Bencic, Caroline Garcia and Jessica Pegula, runner-up in 2022, can never be written off.

Home fans will also be able to enjoy the likes of Pablo Carreño Busta, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Roberto Bautista Agut and Paula Badosa.

Over two weeks of competition and 22 sessions of the best tennis in the world, they will all be looking to add their names to the illustrious list of champions. Only one man and one woman will do so. Who will they be? Find out, from 24 April to 7 May in the Caja Mágica.