2024 Mutua Madrid Open Set to Begin Next Week

Madrid, Spain – The 2024 Mutua Madrid Open, the first WTA 1000 clay-court event of the year, is set to begin next week. Eighteen of the world’s top 20 players are expected to compete from April 23 to May 5 at the Caja Magica.

Main-draw play kicks off on Tuesday, April 23, following the qualifying rounds on April 22 and 23. The singles main draw features 96 players, with 32 seeded players receiving first-round byes.

A total of 76 players gained direct entry into the singles draw, augmented by 8 wild cards and 12 qualifiers. In doubles, 32 teams will compete, including three wild-card pairings.

The tournament utilizes the Dunlop Fort Clay Court balls, with the singles final scheduled for Saturday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m., and the doubles final on Sunday, May 5 at 3:30 p.m.

Last year’s singles champion, Aryna Sabalenka, won the title by defeating World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the final. Sabalenka also emerged victorious in the 2021 edition, making her a two-time Madrid champion.

This year, notable players such as former World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, who received a wild card, will compete. She was the finalist in the inaugural WTA 1000 at the event in 2009. Other notable wild card entrants include Emma Raducanu and Amanda Anisimova.

However, two-time Madrid champion Simona Halep has withdrawn due to fitness concerns, alongside World No. 5 Jessica Pegula, both hoping to recover fully before their next competitions. Top seed Iga Swiatek and her rivals, including Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, will battle for the title as the tournament unfolds.

With a rich history and elite competitors, the Mutua Madrid Open promises to deliver exciting matches as players vie for ranking points and prize money.