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

Carlos Alcaraz may soon fulfill his lifelong dream of stepping foot on the hallowed grounds of Real Madrid's Bernabeu Stadium, as organizers of the Madrid Open have announced plans to set up a temporary clay practice court within the iconic venue from April 23-30, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis. The Bernabeu, increasingly embracing its role as a versatile arena beyond football, will provide a supplementary training facility for tournament players. Although the Caja Magica will remain the primary training hub, the Bernabeu's central location offers players a unique opportunity to experience tennis in one of the world's most storied stadiums. However, training sessions at the Bernabeu will be closed to the public, unlike those at the Caja Magica. The Bernabeu's transformation into a multi-sport venue has gained momentum in recent months, hosting notable events such as the 1982 World Cup final, a regular-season NFL game, and a Taylor Swift concert in 2024. The stadium's flexibility and retractable pitch, a key feature of the $1 billion renovation completed in late 2023, have made it an ideal host for non-football events. According to tournament chief Gerard Tsobanian, this collaboration will 'raise the bar even higher' and place the Mutua Madrid Open in a unique category. The retractable pitch, divided into six sections, can be stored underground, allowing for the construction of facilities like clay tennis courts on top of the concrete base. Real Madrid's schedule, including a run of away games and a potential Champions League semi-final, has made this initiative possible. The ATP and WTA Tours will be broadcast live on Sky Sports or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports app, providing customers with access to over 50 per cent more live sports at no extra cost.