The line‑ups for the Mutua Madrid Open have been announced, with the tournament set to kick off on Tuesday and be broadcast live on Sky Sports. However, British rising star Jack Draper, who had already been placed in the draw, has announced his withdrawal as he continues to recover from a knee injury that forced him out of the recent Barcelona Open.
Draper joins a growing list of high‑profile players who have pulled out of the Madrid event, a list that already includes former US Open champion Emma Raducanu, Spanish prodigy Carlos Alcaraz and Serbian legend Novak Djokovic. The British player also confirmed that he will miss the upcoming Italian Open in Rome, but he remains hopeful about his preparation for the French Open in May. "An aggravated tendon in my knee means I am not able to play in Madrid and Rome," the 24‑year‑old explained in a brief statement.
"It's frustrating for sure but I am thankful it isn't anything more serious, recovery is going well and I feel good about my chances of being fit for Roland Garros. I am looking forward to building momentum from there." While Draper steps aside, fellow Briton Cameron Norrie will be on the court, enjoying a first‑round bye. Norrie reached the quarter‑finals of the Barcelona Open last week after a solid showing at Monte Carlo, and he will be looking to add another deep run to his resume.
For fans who prefer streaming, the tournament can be watched contract‑free via NOW, and Sky Sports continues to provide extensive tennis coverage, including live scores, results, upcoming match schedules, video highlights, and on‑demand content through its app. On the women's side, Katie Boulter will open her campaign against American Taylor Townsend in the first round, with the potential of a clash against fifth seed Jessica Pegula looming in the next round. Boulter, the British No.
3, made the quarter‑finals in Rouen the week before and is eager to build on that recent success. Historically, Boulter has a perfect record against Townsend, having won all three of their previous meetings, the most recent of which took place in Beijing earlier this year. Townsend, however, has been in good form herself, having reached the final of the ATX Open WTA 250 in February and posting several strong results throughout the season. If Boulter can continue her dominance over Townsend, she will earn a second‑round match against Pegula, who arrives in Madrid fresh off her second WTA title of the year, captured in Charleston.
Pegula’s powerful baseline game and aggressive shot‑making make her a formidable opponent for any player. On the ATP side, despite the absences of Alcaraz and Djokovic, the top seed for the tournament is Italy’s Jannik Sinner, who also benefits from a first‑round bye. Sinner has been in excellent form this year, and his presence at the top of the draw adds a compelling storyline for fans. The Madrid Open, part of the prestigious ATP and WTA Tours, offers a unique blend of high‑stakes competition on the iconic clay courts of the Caja Mágica complex.
Players often view it as a crucial stepping stone toward the French Open, providing an opportunity to fine‑tune tactics, adjust to the slower surface, and gauge the competition. For viewers, Sky Sports delivers live coverage of both the ATP and WTA matches, with additional streaming options available through the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app.
Subscribers can enjoy over 50 percent more live sport this year at no extra cost, making it easier than ever to follow the action from anywhere. In summary, the Madrid Open field is shaping up to be a mix of seasoned champions, emerging talents, and notable absentees. While Jack Draper’s withdrawal is a disappointment for British fans, the tournament still promises high‑quality tennis, intriguing match‑ups, and the chance for players like Cameron Norrie, Katie Boulter, and Jannik Sinner to make a statement ahead of the upcoming Grand Slam season.