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, the British hopeful Jack Draper, who had already been placed in the draw, announced his withdrawal as he continues to recover from a knee injury that forced him out of the Barcelona Open earlier this month. Draper joins a growing list of high‑profile players who have pulled out of the event, including former US Open champion Emma Raducanu, Spanish prodigy Carlos Alcaraz and world‑number‑one Novak Djokovic.
The 24‑year‑old American‑born Briton also confirmed that he will miss the upcoming Italian Open in Rome, but he remains optimistic 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," Draper said 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 back, fellow Briton Cameron Norrie is confirmed to compete and will enjoy a first‑round bye. Norrie arrived in Madrid after a solid showing in Barcelona, where he reached the quarter‑finals, and after a second‑round appearance at the Monte Carlo Masters.
For fans who prefer streaming, the tournament can be followed contract‑free via the NOW platform, and all matches are also available through the Sky Sports app, which offers live scores, video highlights and on‑demand content. On the women's side, Katie Boulter opens her campaign against American Taylor Townsend in the first round. A win would set up a potential clash with fifth‑seeded Jessica Pegula in the second round. Boulter, currently ranked No.
3 in Britain, enjoyed a strong run to the quarter‑finals in Rouen last week and is eager to continue that form in Madrid. The head‑to‑head record between Boulter and Townsend heavily favours the Briton, who has won all three of their previous meetings. Their most recent encounter was at the Beijing tournament earlier in 2024, where Boulter again came out on top. Townsend, meanwhile, reached the final of the ATX Open, a WTA 250 event, in February and has been playing consistently well throughout the season.
If Boulter can overcome Townsend, she will face Pegula, who entered the tournament fresh off her second WTA title of the year, captured in Charleston. Pegula’s powerful baseline game and recent confidence make her a formidable opponent for any player in the draw.
On the men’s side, despite the absence of Alcaraz and Djokovic, the top seed is Italy’s Jannik Sinner, who also receives a first‑round bye. Sinner has been in excellent form this year, and his seeding reflects his status as the tournament favourite. The Madrid Open offers a blend of rising talent and established stars, and the event’s schedule promises a mix of high‑intensity rallies, strategic baseline play, and the occasional surprise upset.
For tennis enthusiasts, the tournament is a key stepping stone toward the clay‑court season climax at Roland Garros, providing players with vital match practice on the red clay. Spectators can follow the action live on Sky Sports, or stream the matches via NOW and the Sky Sports app, which together give Sky Sports customers access to more than 50 percent additional live sport this year at no extra cost.
For those looking for a seamless viewing experience, using the Chrome browser is recommended to ensure the video player works optimally. In summary, the Madrid Open field is shaping up with notable withdrawals but also with promising match‑ups, particularly the Boulter‑Townsend opening and the potential Boulter‑Pegula showdown. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on how the remaining seeds adapt to the clay surface and whether any dark horses can make a deep run toward the final.