The gates of the Caja Mágica are again open wide, awaiting the best players on the tour. However, in a locker room packed with legends who are used to the dimensions of the big stages, the young guns will be jostling for room to show off their fledgling talent. The new generation of professional tennis is also heading for Madrid, intent on gaining invaluable experience and lighting up the stands as they set their sights on the elite.
Tomorrow’s stars are coming to Madrid, and they will be dreaming of a Hollywood story. Of all the promising talents that have their entire careers ahead of them, here are just a few to keep an eye out for.
Joao Fonseca
The Brazilian will be one of the main draws at this year’s event. Fonseca, at just 18 years of age, has generated huge expectation in 2025, the year of his arrival on the ATP Tour. Having claimed his first title on the clay of Buenos Aires, proving he fears nobody despite his recent arrival, the South American arrives in the Spanish capital ready to unleash his frightening forehand, which will be sure to stun the fans.
Martín Landaluce
Another player hoping to join the party will be Martín Landaluce, surely a future star of the Spanish Armada. The Madrid native will have the chance to return to competition in the Caja Magica after his debut here last year. 2024 was a steep learning curve for Martín, lifting his first ATP Challenger Tour title and claiming his first win at an ATP Masters 1000, and he will be competing with the hope of producing a big result in his home city. Breaking into the world’s Top 100 is within reach for one of the best players of the 2006 generation.
#NextGenATP stars
The tour’s thriving international audience has driven an explosion of young talent in recent years all around the world. American player Learner Tien, who reached the second round of the Australian Open at just 19 years of age, is looking to make a mark on the clay of Madrid. The fast conditions of the capital could be the perfect match for the Czech Jakub Mensik, one of the most solid players in this new batch. China’s quick-handed Shang Juncheng, a former junior world No. 1, is already an ATP Tour champion at 20 years of age. Equally hopeful will be US player Alex Michelsen and France’s Arthur Fils, who are already well on their way to the top of the tour despite their age.
Mirra Andreeva
In the women’s competition, there will be no shortage of inexperienced candidates bidding to cause an upset. One of the biggest breakthroughs on the circuit is that of Mirra Andreeva, who in 2025 became the youngest player ever to win a WTA 1000. Her youth did nothing to prevent her from bursting into the Top 10, and she has plenty of ambition to go further under the watchful eye of Conchita Martínez. Two years ago, when she was just a young girl, Madrid had a glimpse of the scale of her talent when she reached round four. Who knows just how far she can go in 2025?
Linda Noskova
Attempting to keep up with that vertiginous pace is Linda Noskova, a player who has just what it takes to shine in the Caja Magica. The Czech has already tasted the world’s Top 25 and has a WTA Tour title to her name at just 20 years of age. The former Junior French Open champion is more than ready to show off her prowess on the clay, and will be bidding to consolidate her name among the future talents in the women’s locker room.
Ashlyn Krueger
Amidst the droves of talent coming out of the USA, Ashlyn Krueger has all the weapons necessary to deal with the demands of the Caja Magica. The Dallas native has been one of the surprise packages of the early season, and she will be looking to ride that wave into the Spanish capital. Under the guidance of Michael Joyce, the coach who took Maria Sharapova to world No. 1, the North American will see the Madrid WTA 1000 as a vital stepping stone on her road to the tour’s elite.
Diana Shnaider
From a plethora of young talent, Diana Shnaider stands out for producing one of the quickest ascents towards the world’s Top 10. At just 20 years of age, the left-hander has transformed her game into one of the most versatile on the circuit, enjoying success in both doubles and singles. Few players boast so many options on court and a breakthrough in Madrid would not be a huge shock to those in the know.
Clara Tauson
The first edition of the Mutua Madrid Open saw a Dane reach the women’s final, a feat Clara Tauson will be hoping to repeat. The player from Copenhagen, one of the few to have defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in 2025, is taking the switch to the big stage in her stride. A hugely aggressive game and no fear of approaching the net are the hallmarks of this born competitor who is ready to make her mark. At just 22, she has perhaps recently made more progress than anyone in European tennis.
