The Madrid Open never fails to entertain, as the stars of the ATP Tour battle it out for supremacy on the Spanish clay.
Tennis’ trip to the Spanish capital was a memorable one in 2024, as Andrey Rublev beat Felix Auger-Aliassime to lift the title in Madrid.
The Russian star produced one of the biggest shocks of the season during his run to the final, as Rublev took down Carlos Alcaraz in three sets, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion, was one of several players who suffered surprise defeats last year, as the stars of the ATP Tour succumbed to various injuries throughout the tournament.
Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, Jiri Lehecka, and Jakub Mensik all withdrew with injuries, as Auger-Aliassime remarkably made his way through to the final playing just eight full sets.
The 2025 Madrid Open is set to be as entertaining as ever, as the tournament director now shares his thoughts on the events’ future, after hearing controversial rumors last month.
Feliciano Lopez says Madrid Open is ‘here until 2030’ after rumors of the Italian Open buying the event
Rumors spread recently that the Italian Open planned to buy the Madrid Open, transforming the event in Rome to a fifth Grand Slam.
The offer was said to be in the region of $550 million, as the Italian Open looked to take the Madrid Open’s spot on the tennis calendar.
Madrid Open tournament director Feliciano Lopez was recently asked about the rumors of a sale, as he reiterated the importance of the event to the Spanish people in an interview with Marca.
“The tournament’s owner has nothing to do with the tournament leaving Madrid,” said Lopez.
“The tournament is here until 2030, regardless of who the owners are but if someone wants to buy the tournament, it’s because it’s played in Madrid and because the people of Madrid respond to it.
“The tournament has been around for 20 years and is well-established and the people of Madrid feel it’s theirs.
“Part of the success of this tournament is because it’s played here in Madrid and whoever wants to buy it realizes that.
“All those people who are interested and come here realize that this also works because of the support of Madrid.”
Lopez doesn’t seem to think the tournament’s future lies in Rome, as he is eager to see the event remain in his home country.
The tournament moved to Madrid in 2002, replacing the Masters 1000 event held in Stuttgart, between 1995 and 2001.
America’s Andre Agassi won the inaugural edition of the event, as he lifted the title in front of the Spanish fans 23 years ago.
Feliciano Lopez agrees with Boris Becker’s opinion on Carlos Alcaraz
Lopez will no doubt hope to see Spain’s top star, Alcaraz continue to perform at the Madrid Open, having won two of his five Masters 1000 titles at the tournament since debuting in 2021.
The former world number 12 shared his thoughts on Alcaraz, agreeing with six-time Major champion Boris Becker’s take on his ‘charisma.’
“There have been some with great charisma, but I agree with Boris [Becker],” said Lopez.
“[Carlos] Alcaraz has something special at a time when everyone in tennis plays the same.
“Physical preparation and power prevail over skill, intelligence, or strategy.
“But Alcaraz, apart from being an elite athlete and physically a machine, has versatility, an ability to improvise, and a series of things that are different from 99% of tennis players.”
Alcaraz won the Madrid Open in 2022, and 2023, as he thrilled his home fans with several excellent performances on the clay.
| Tournament | Round | Opponent | Score |
| 2023 Madrid Open | F | Jan-Lennard Struff | 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 |
| 2023 Madrid Open | SF | Borna Coric [17] | 6-4, 6-3 |
| 2023 Madrid Open | QF | Karen Khachanov [10] | 6-4, 7-5 |
| 2023 Madrid Open | 4R | Alexander Zverev [13] | 6-1, 6-2 |
| 2023 Madrid Open | 3R | Grigor Dimitrov [26] | 6-2, 7-5 |
| 2023 Madrid Open | 2R | Emil Ruusuvuori | 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 |
| 2022 Madrid Open | F | Alexander Zverev [2] | 6-3, 6-1 |
| 2022 Madrid Open | SF | Novak Djokovic [1] | 6-7, 7-5, 7-6 |
| 2022 Madrid Open | QF | Rafael Nadal [3] | 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 |
| 2022 Madrid Open | 3R | Cameron Norrie [9] | 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 |
| 2022 Madrid Open | 2R | Nikoloz Basilashvili | 6-3, 7-5 |
Alcaraz beat the top three seeds, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Alexander Zverev on his way to the title in 2022.
His semi-final win over Djokovic was one of the best of his career to date, as he prevailed in an intense third-set tiebreaker to advance to the final.
The Spaniard will be looking for more success when he returns to the Madrid Open for the 2025 tournament, which begins on April 21.
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