2024 Mutua Madrid Open Preview and Free Picks

The Mutua Madrid Open is a highly esteemed tennis tournament played on clay courts, being part of both the ATP and WTA circuits. It takes place at the Caja Magica complex in Madrid, Spain, and is considered a Masters 1000 event for men and a WTA 1000 event for women. This tournament signifies the beginning of the European clay court season that culminates with the French Open

This prestigious competition, which is already underway with some of the first qualifying round matches, provides players with a vital opportunity to adjust to playing on clay courts after the hard-court season. Madrid’s unique conditions, with its high altitude and faster playing surface, also require adaptation. Success in this tournament is considered a strong indicator of form ahead of Roland Garros, the next major event of the season.

Some of tennis’ greatest champions have lifted the trophy in Madrid, including Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams. 

Relevant participants

Carlos Alcaraz will enter the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open looking to make history as the first player to win three consecutive titles at the prestigious Masters 1000 event. The 20-year-old Spaniard claimed the Madrid title in 2022 and 2023, showcasing his prodigious talents on clay.

Alcaraz arrives in Madrid in stellar form, having won the Indian Wells Masters last month. His aggressive baseline game and athleticism have proven ideal for success on the slow red clay. Alcaraz enjoys competing in front of his home Spanish fans, which will provide him with additional motivation to complete the three-peat.

Rafael Nadal is a legendary name in tennis, having won a record 22 Grand Slam singles titles. However, the Spanish superstar was forced to miss the 2022 Mutua Madrid Open due to a rib injury.

Nadal has lifted the Madrid trophy five times, with his most recent title coming in 2017. The “King of Clay” has always enjoyed competing on his beloved red dirt and will be eager to get his clay-court season off to a strong start after an injury-plagued 2022.

Stefanos Tsitsipas, runner-up in 2021, is always a threat on clay with his aggressive baseline game. The Greek star has shown he can pressure Nadal and Djokovic but needs to maintain consistency through a deep run.

As well as these, we will have many other participants in this prestigious event.

The Course: Caja Mágica tennis complex

The Mutua Madrid Open is held at the Caja Mágica tennis complex in Madrid, Spain. The facility opened in 2009 and features three main exhibition courts: Centre Court, the Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Stadium, and the Manolo Santana Stadium.

The courts at the Caja Mágica are made of red clay, the traditional surface of the European clay-court swing. However, because Madrid is at a high altitude, the balls move much faster through the air. That gives it a playing characteristic more similar to a hard court than a traditional clay court. The ball bounces lower, and players have less time to execute shots.

2024 Mutua Madrid Open Betting odds – TOP 5

1· Carlos Alcaraz

2· Jannik Sinner

3· Daniil Medvedev

4· Alexander Zverev

5· Andrey Rublev

Where can I watch it?

ESPN/Star+

2024 Mutua Madrid Open Betting Picks

The 20-year-old Spaniard, Carlos Alcaraz, has won back-to-back titles in Madrid and looks poised to capture a hat trick at home. His aggressive baseline game is well suited to the high-altitude conditions.

However, with clay-court king Rafael Nadal looking to reclaim his crown after injury and heir apparent Carlos Alcaraz seeking a historic treble, the men’s draw promises intense competition and epic matches.

Overall, this tournament has all the elements for a spectacular week of tennis. Will we see the torch passed from Nadal to Alcaraz this year?