The potential routes to the Madrid Open final for Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic as draw confirmed

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Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have both learned their fates at the Madrid Open, the next ATP Masters 1000 event in the schedule.

Alcaraz will undergo an MRI shortly before his Madrid Open opener, having experienced an issue with his upper right leg in the Barcelona Open final.

Holger Rune was full of praise for Alcaraz after winning that final, which arrived after the latter won the Monte Carlo Masters.

The Madrid Open is up next in the ATP calendar, followed by the likes of the Italian Open in Rome and the French Open in Paris.

Alcaraz boasts two Madrid Open titles, one behind Djokovic, with legendary figure Rafael Nadal out ahead with five.

Carlos Alcaraz handed tough route to Madrid Open final

And the duo could be set for a reunion in the Spanish capital, having been named in the same half of the draw.

Given a bye in round one of the competition, Alcaraz will play the winner of Zizou Bergs and Yoshihito Nishioka in round two.

READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz admits what Holger Rune did in the Barcelona Open final which really surprised him

The 21-year-old could then meet either Jiri Lehecka or Cameron Norrie in round three, followed by a round four tie against either Grigor Dimitrov or Tomas Machac.

Talented trio Alex de Minaur, Lorenzo Musetti and Stefanos Tsitsipas are then all potential quarter-final opponents.

And Djokovic joins Jack Draper and Tommy Paul in potential semi-final opponents, with the likes of Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Rune and Andrey Rublev potentially awaiting in the final.

What is Novak Djokovic’s potential path to a fourth Madrid Open title?

Djokovic meanwhile joins Alcaraz in being handed a tricky draw in Spain, such is the calibre of talent at the event.

Like second seed Alcaraz, fourth seed Djokovic has a bye in round one, with either Matteo Arnaldi or a qualifier up next.

READ MORE: ATP player who just beat Novak Djokovic withdraws from the Madrid Open and is replaced by former top 10 player

In round three, he could meet Sebastian Baez, with Ugo Humbert and Frances Tiafoe among his potential fourth round competition.

Matteo Berrettini or Jack Draper could await in the quarter-finals, with Alcaraz or De Minaur then potential semi-final opponents.

And of course like Alcaraz, the Serbian could take on Zverev, Fritz, Rune or Rublev for an elusive 100th ATP title.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion won the Madrid Open in 2011, 2016 and 2019, with Alcaraz winning in 2022 and 2023.