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. While the draw is now final, British rising star Jack Draper has announced his withdrawal, citing a lingering knee problem that forced him out of the recent Barcelona Open. Draper joins a growing list of high‑profile players who have pulled out of the event, including Emma Raducanu, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.
The 24‑year‑old American‑born Briton, who made a splash by reaching the semi‑finals at the 2024 US Open, confirmed that an aggravated tendon in his knee prevents him from competing in Madrid and also rules him out of the upcoming Italian Open in Rome. "It’s frustrating for sure but I am thankful it isn’t anything more serious," Draper said in a statement. "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." Despite Draper’s absence, Britain will still be represented by Cameron Norrie, who enjoys a first‑round bye. Norrie, fresh from a quarter‑final appearance at the Barcelona Open after a solid showing in Monte Carlo, is expected to be a contender in the men’s draw. On the women’s side, Katie Boulter will launch her campaign against American Taylor Townsend in the opening round. Boulter, currently ranked No.
3 in Britain, reached the quarter‑finals in Rouen last week and will be eager to extend that form. The match could set up a second‑round clash with fifth seed Jessica Pegula, who comes into Madrid riding the confidence of a recent WTA 250 title in Charleston. Boulter holds 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 shape herself, having reached the final of the ATX Open WTA 250 in February and posting several strong results throughout the season. While the tournament will be missing the likes of Alcaraz and Djokovic, the men’s field is headed by top seed Jannik Sinner, who also benefits from a first‑round bye. Sinner’s consistent play this year makes him a favorite to go deep into the event.
Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, stream via the NOW platform, or use the Sky Sports app, which offers more than 50 percent additional live sport coverage at no extra charge for subscribers. The Madrid Open, part of the ATP and WTA tours, is a key preparatory event ahead of the French Open, and players often use the clay courts to fine‑tune their games. With several top players withdrawing, the draw opens up opportunities for lower‑ranked competitors to make a statement.
British tennis, in particular, will be watching closely to see how Norrie and Boulter perform, as both hope to build momentum heading into the summer swing. In summary, the tournament will proceed without Draper, but the British contingent remains strong with Norrie’s experience and Boulter’s promising form. The early rounds promise intriguing match‑ups, especially the Boulter‑Townsend encounter, which could set the stage for a high‑profile showdown with Pegula if the British player continues her winning streak.
The event also provides a platform for emerging talent to shine in the absence of several marquee names, making the 2024 Madrid Open a compelling watch for tennis enthusiasts worldwide.