The Mutua Madrid Open begins Monday at the Caja Mágica, and the field has already lost two of its biggest names. Carlos Alcaraz, two-time defending champion on home soil, has withdrawn due to a wrist injury. Novak Djokovic, a three-time Madrid champion, has not played since Indian Wells as his shoulder continues to trouble him.
Their absences reshape a 96-player draw. Jannik Sinner, the top seed, arrives in a position of supreme strength. The Italian is fresh off a Monte-Carlo triumph where he defeated Alcaraz 7-6, 6-3 in the final, his fourth consecutive Masters 1000 title. The question is no longer whether Sinner can win Madrid, but who can stop him.
Alexander Zverev holds the second seed. The German, a runner-up in Munich last week against Ben Shelton, knows the Caja Mágica and its fast clay conditions well. A potential Sinner-Zverev final is the showdown the tournament is hoping for.
Shelton himself arrives in Madrid riding a wave of confidence after his Munich title. The draw could place him on a collision course with Zverev in the semifinals, setting up a BMW Open rematch. Casper Ruud, the defending champion who defeated Jack Draper in last year's final, will look to retain his crown.
Among the dark horses, Arthur Fils, a Barcelona finalist on Sunday, and Felix Auger-Aliassime, a former Madrid finalist, deserve attention. Five wildcards — Gael Monfils, Rafael Jodar, Pablo Carreno Busta, Martin Landaluce and Federico Cina — add further intrigue.
Without Alcaraz or Djokovic, Madrid 2026 offers a rare window for title hunters. This week's champions — Shelton, Fils, Rybakina — arrive with momentum on their side.
