Madrid Open to Debut at Real Madrid's Legendary Bernabeu Stadium

Carlos Alcaraz is on the verge of realising his long-held dream of competing at the iconic Bernabeu Stadium, as organisers of the Madrid Open have announced plans to set up a temporary clay practice court within the venue from April 23-30, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis. The Bernabeu, which has been increasingly utilised as a multi-purpose arena beyond football, will provide a supplementary training facility for tournament players, in addition to the primary training hub at the Caja Magica. This unique opportunity will allow players to experience tennis in one of the world's most renowned stadiums, although training sessions at the Bernabeu will be closed to the public. The stadium's transformation into a multi-sport venue has been gaining momentum in recent months, with a history of hosting high-profile events such as the 1982 World Cup final, an NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders, and a concert by Taylor Swift in 2024. The Bernabeu's retractable pitch, a key feature of the $1 billion renovation completed in late 2023, has made it possible for the stadium to host non-football events. The pitch is divided into six sections that can be stored underground, allowing for the construction of facilities such as clay tennis courts on the concrete base. According to tournament chief Gerard Tsobanian, this collaboration with the Bernabeu will elevate the status of the Mutua Madrid Open, placing it in a unique category alongside the world's best tournaments. Real Madrid's upcoming schedule, including away games against Real Betis, Espanyol, and Barcelona, and a potential Champions League semi-final first leg, will not pose an obstacle to the event. The ATP and WTA Tours can be watched live on Sky Sports or streamed with NOW and the Sky Sports app, providing customers with access to over 50 per cent more live sports at no extra cost.