Carlos Alcaraz is back on home soil, and Madrid is already buzzing with excitement. The 21-year-old Spanish sensation is eyeing a third Mutua Madrid Open title in four years—a feat that would underscore his growing dominance on the clay courts of the Caja Mágica.
Meanwhile, Coco Gauff arrives with a different mission. The American star is still hunting for her first title of the season, and the Madrid Open may just be the perfect opportunity to reset her 2025 campaign. But before any tennis balls were struck, both Alcaraz and Gauff took center stage off the court.
The duo joined Madrid’s mayor for a grand unveiling of a new semi-permanent installation at the Caja Mágica, designed by celebrated architect Dominique Perrault. The event was a celebration of the tournament’s growth and future, with Alcaraz and Gauff lending star power to the occasion. The Mutua Madrid Open’s official X (formerly Twitter) account shared glimpses of the moment, marking it as a highlight ahead of the main event.
Alcaraz: Poised for Clay Court Supremacy
Alcaraz has had a strong start to the clay season. He captured his first Monte Carlo Masters title, showcasing his relentless baseline game and court coverage. He then advanced to the final in Barcelona, falling short in a close match against Holger Rune (7-6(6), 6-2). Still, with consecutive finals under his belt, Alcaraz enters Madrid with confidence and momentum.
His road to a potential third crown won’t be easy. The second seed begins against either Yoshihito Nishioka or Zizou Bergs. A possible third-round clash with Jiri Lehecka looms, followed by projected matchups against Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round and either Alex de Minaur, Lorenzo Musetti, or Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarters. Should he advance, Novak Djokovic could await him in a blockbuster semifinal.
Gauff: Looking to Regain Her Spark
Gauff’s clay court season has yet to ignite. She suffered a quarterfinal exit at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, falling to Jasmine Paolini in straight sets (6-4, 6-3). It marked her sixth loss of the year—a far cry from her victorious end to 2024, when she lifted the WTA Finals trophy.
The fourth seed receives a first-round bye in Madrid and will face either Dayana Yastremska or a qualifier in the second round. A third-round showdown with Leylah Fernandez could be on the cards, with a potential quarterfinal clash against rising star Mirra Andreeva. If she reaches the semifinals, defending champion Iga Swiatek or the power-hitting Madison Keys could stand in her way.
Off-Court Bond, On-Court Boost?
This isn’t the first time Gauff and Alcaraz have linked up before a tournament—and fans might recall what happened the last time they did. In October 2024, ahead of the China Open in Beijing, the two explored the Forbidden City in traditional Hanfu attire. What followed was pure magic: Alcaraz dethroned World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in a thrilling final, while Gauff cruised to victory over Karolína Muchová.
The moment was immortalized in a playful “how it started vs how it’s going” post, with both stars proudly holding their trophies.
Could their latest pre-tournament appearance in Madrid be a sign of more magic to come?
Tough Draws, High Stakes
With the tournament now underway, all eyes are on how these young stars will fare against tough competition. Will Alcaraz continue his reign on clay, or can Gauff flip the script and reclaim her winning form?
What Do You Think?
Can Carlos Alcaraz clinch his third Madrid Open title?
- Absolutely, he’s unstoppable on clay
- No, the competition is too fierce
- Maybe, but it’ll be a battle
- I don’t care as long as the matches are exciting
Will Coco Gauff find her groove again on the red clay of Madrid?
Share your thoughts and join the debate.
