The clay-court season kicks off with the Hologic WTA Tour`s elite heading to Madrid for the Mutua Madrid Open, a premier WTA 1000 event.
Madrid will host a star-studded lineup for its 16th edition, featuring nearly all of the world`s Top 50 players competing 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.
Here are the essential details for this major clay-court tournament:
- Main Draw Start Date: Tuesday, April 22
- Singles Final: Saturday, May 3, from 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; top 32 seeds receive a first-round bye)
- Doubles Main Draw Size: 32 teams
- 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
Key storylines to follow in Madrid:
- World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, dominant on hard courts, has secured two clay 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 victory for Sabalenka would tie her with Petra Kvitova for the most Madrid titles (3). Kvitova`s Madrid wins came in 2011, 2015, and 2018.
- Defending champion and World No. 2 Iga Swiatek boasts a 13-2 record in Madrid. Last year, she claimed her first Madrid title, defeating Sabalenka in a thrilling final, saving three championship points in a third-set tiebreak.
- Three Americans are seeded in the Top 5: No. 3 Jessica Pegula, No. 4 Coco Gauff, and No. 5 Madison Keys. Pegula reached her first WTA 1000 final in Madrid in 2022, losing to Ons Jabeur.
- Petra Kvitova, a three-time champion, enters the main draw with her special ranking after returning from maternity leave. She seeks her first match win after losses in Austin, Indian Wells, and Miami, hoping Madrid will bring her success.
- Spain`s Top 10 player, World No. 9 Paula Badosa, reached the Madrid semifinals as a wild card in 2021. However, a back injury might affect her fitness, having led to her withdrawal from Miami and absences in other tournaments.
- Sabalenka, Swiatek, Jabeur, and Kvitova, all former Madrid champions, are in this year`s draw. Dinara Safina, the 2009 champion, is also expected, coaching World No. 13 Diana Shnaider.
Stay tuned for further updates as the Mutua Madrid Open approaches!
