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 complete, Britain’s rising star Jack Draper has announced his withdrawal as he continues to recover from a knee problem that forced him out of the Barcelona Open earlier this week.
Draper’s exit adds his name to a growing list of high‑profile players who have pulled out of the Madrid event, joining the likes of Emma Raducanu, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. The 24‑year‑old, who reached the semi‑finals of the US Open in 2024, also confirmed that he will miss the upcoming Italian Open in Rome. However, he remains optimistic about his chances of competing at Roland Garros in May, saying that his focus is now on a gradual rehabilitation and building momentum for the French Open.
In a brief statement, Draper explained the situation: "An aggravated tendon in my knee means I am not able to play in Madrid and Rome. 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." His comments underscore the delicate balance between managing injury risk and maintaining a competitive schedule on the ATP tour. Meanwhile, Britain’s other top male player, Cameron Norrie, will be on the court in Madrid. Norrie has been granted a first‑round bye and will make his appearance after a solid run in Barcelona, where he reached the quarter‑finals following a second‑round showing in Monte Carlo.
Norrie’s form this season has been steady, and the bye gives him extra time to fine‑tune his game ahead of a potentially tough draw. On the women’s side, British No. 3 Katie Boulter is set to open her campaign against American Taylor Townsend in the first round.
If she progresses, she could meet fifth seed Jessica Pegula in the second round, a matchup that would pit Boulter against a player fresh off her second WTA title of the season, won in Charleston. Boulter arrives in Madrid after a promising performance in Rouen, where she reached the quarter‑finals last week. Her recent results suggest she is in good form and eager to build on that momentum.
Historically, Boulter has a perfect record against Townsend, having won all three of their previous encounters. Their most recent meeting took place in Beijing earlier in 2024, where Boulter again emerged victorious. Townsend, however, has not been idle; she made the final of the ATX Open, a WTA 250 event, in February and has displayed solid play throughout the season. A win for Boulter would set up a second‑round clash with Pegula, who is riding high after capturing her second title of the year in Charleston.
Pegula’s powerful baseline game and aggressive shot‑making make her a formidable opponent, but Boulter’s confidence and recent head‑to‑head success could give her a psychological edge. While the absence of Alcaraz and Djokovic is notable, the tournament’s top seed will be Italy’s Jannik Sinner. Like Norrie, Sinner also receives a first‑round bye, positioning him directly into the second round where he will face a player who has already earned a win on the courts.
Sinner’s rise to the No. 1 ranking has been meteoric, and his presence adds a compelling narrative to a field that otherwise feels a bit depleted of the usual big‑name stars. Fans can follow all the action live on Sky Sports, or stream the matches via the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app. Subscribers to Sky Sports enjoy access to more than 50 percent additional live sport this year at no extra charge, ensuring that even with several top players missing, the tournament remains a marquee event on the ATP and WTA calendars.
In summary, the Madrid Open will proceed without several marquee names, but it still promises high‑quality tennis. Draper’s withdrawal highlights the ongoing challenges of injury management on the tour, while Norrie and Boulter aim to capitalize on their recent form. The tournament’s top seed, Jannik Sinner, will be looking to assert his dominance, and the potential Boulter‑Pegula showdown adds an extra layer of intrigue for British fans. The event will continue to be broadcast live, offering viewers a chance to witness emerging talent and seasoned competitors alike as they vie for the coveted Madrid title.