A look at the top players competing for the 2024 Madrid Open trophy, where the winner gets €963,225 in prize money.
Stefanos Tsitsipas has presently to establish a Madrid Open title, yet his recent performances have made him a top contender for the Championship title. Winning the Monte Carlo Master last week and reaching the finals of the Barcelona Open have encouraged his gamesmanship to do well in the Madrid Open.
Carlos Alcaraz has a chance to win three in a row after wins in 2022 and 2023. This is something no player has achieved in the history of the tournament. When Rafael Nadal scored the title in 2013 and 2014 he came close.
Rafael Nadal swept the Madrid Open title in 2005, 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2017. Being in the core of his final year on tour, Nadal has not yet made a meaningful impact this season.
It would be inadvisable to furlough the former World Number One just yet. Nadal will be enthusiastic to win one last victorious opportunity before retiring.
Both Spaniards will be depended upon to do well in front of the home fans by giving them something to anticipate with a win from one or the other player.
With Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal from the Monte Carlo and Barcelona Tournaments due to a forearm injury, he will be hungry to win his second trophy this year after his single win at Indian Wells. Alcaraz is going into the Madrid Open defending his two wins in this tournament in 2022 and 2023.
Zverev a Contender?
Alexander Zverev, who is a winner of the Madrid Open in 2018 and 2021, is a top contender for the trophy this year. The German has reached the semi-finals four times this season and commands the skills and drive to excel in this tournament.
Jannik Sinner has played an inspirational season winning all three titles he has reached. He recently reached the semi-finals in Monte Carlo. Since his last appearance in Madrid in 2022, Sinner has secured his initial Grand Slam title, ascended to World Number Two, and obtained an impactful twenty-five wins with only two losses this year.
Sinner has what it takes to warrant a Masters title and persevere into his second ATP 1000 title this year.
Dark Horse Player Probable Surprise
Twenty-one year old American Ben Shelton is a dark horse player to keep an eye on. He’ll be playing April 27th against twenty-two year old Czech Tomas Machac.
Shelton has limited experience on clay with thirteen tour level matches. However, his recent victory on Houston’s clay courts is encouraging, along with his powerful serve, in giving him an advantage as a dark horse player in this tournament.
Madrid Open Schedule for our Top Contenders
Today’s biggest match featured Spaniard Rafael Nadal defeating American Darwin Blanch. Nadal won the match 6 – 1, 6 – 0, with his next match scheduled for Saturday April 27th against Australian Alex de Minaur.
Carlos Alcaraz is scheduled to play against Kazakhstan national Alexander Shevchenko Friday April 26th.Â
Also slated to play Friday April 26th is Alexander Zverev versus Croatian Borna Coric. Jannik Sinner is booked to play against Italian Lorenzo Sonego Saturday April 27th. Stefanos Tsitsipas versus Brazilian Thiago Monteiro is also scheduled for Saturday April 27th.
Many more world class players are ready and hungry to show their skills over the next few days to reach the pinnacle of the Madrid Open.
