The clay-court season continues this week at the Caja Magica, where the world’s biggest stars will compete for the fourth ATP Masters 1000 title of the season at the Mutua Madrid Open.
Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz will try to complete a hat-trick in the Spanish capital, where record five-time titlist Rafael Nadal continues his comeback.
Top seed Jannik Sinner can close the gap on Novak Djokovic in the battle for No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings.
1) Alcaraz chasing three in a row: Alcaraz will aim to become the first player to win three consecutive titles in the Spanish capital when he takes to court in Madrid as the second seed.
The 20-year-old, who opens against Alexander Shevchenko or Arthur Rinderknech, has not competed since Miami in March due to a right arm injury.
Alcaraz has won seven of his 13 tour-level titles on clay, and he is chasing his sixth ATP Masters 1000 crown.
2) Nadal continues comeback: The record five-time Madrid champion continues his comeback from injury at the clay-court event.
The 37-year-old Spaniard returned to action last week in Barcelona, where he beat Flavio Cobolli before he lost to Alex de Minaur in straight sets. Nadal opens against American wild card Darwin Blanch.
