Emma Raducanu Draws Tough Start in Madrid as Djokovic Eyes Alcaraz Showdown
The Madrid Open kicks off this week with several headline names returning to action, including Emma Raducanu and Novak Djokovic. With high stakes and intense competition on the clay courts of the Caja Mágica, fans are in for a dramatic fortnight of tennis.
Raducanu Faces Early Test
Emma Raducanu begins her clay season in Madrid against a tricky opponent in Suzan Lamens. Although Raducanu, ranked world No. 49, is technically the favorite, Lamens comes into the match in red-hot form. The Dutch player recently upset Katie Boulter in the Billie Jean King Cup and went on to reach the semi-finals in Rouen, beating top-seeded players including Bianca Andreescu and Linda Noskova.
If Raducanu advances, the path doesn’t get any easier. She would face 24th seed Marta Kostyuk in the second round. A potential third-round clash against world No. 9 Paula Badosa awaits, with Aryna Sabalenka looming as a possible quarter-final opponent.
This marks Raducanu’s first clay-court appearance of the season after missing Britain’s BJK Cup ties and withdrawing from the WTA 250 in Rouen. Last year, she had a short-lived Madrid campaign, falling in straight sets to Maria Lourdes Carle.
Djokovic Returns with Alcaraz on the Horizon
Novak Djokovic returns to the Madrid Open for the first time since 2022, eager to rebound from a disappointing early exit in Monte-Carlo. The world No. 5 could be on a collision course with Carlos Alcaraz, with both stars placed in the same half of the draw and a potential semi-final showdown on the cards.
Djokovic receives a first-round bye and will face either Matteo Arnaldi or a qualifier in round two. His projected path includes matches against Sebastian Baez, Frances Tiafoe, and possibly Jack Draper or Matteo Berrettini in the quarters.
Alcaraz, the two-time Madrid champion, starts against either Zizou Bergs or Yoshihito Nishioka. He could meet Jiri Lehecka in round three—a rematch of their Doha clash where Lehecka stunned the Spaniard. Alcaraz also shares his quarter with Stefanos Tsitsipas and Lorenzo Musetti, setting up possible blockbuster matchups.
British Interest and Notable Matchups
Other British players in the women’s draw include Sonay Kartal, who debuts against Jaqueline Cristian, and Katie Boulter, who faces Katerina Siniakova. Jasmine Paolini, the No. 6 seed, could be waiting for Boulter in the second round.
On the men’s side, Jack Draper is seeded fifth and awaits either Tallon Griekspoor or a qualifier in round two. Cameron Norrie will take on Spanish wildcard Martin Landaluce in the opening round.
Alexander Zverev leads the men’s field as the top seed and is guaranteed to start against a Spanish player—either Roberto Bautista Agut or Jaume Munar. Reigning champion Andrey Rublev begins his title defense against either Gael Monfils or a qualifier, while rising star Joao Fonseca will make his Madrid debut.
