Twenty-three years ago, a new Masters' Series tennis event debuted in Madrid. It was a men's-only event, with tennis legend André Agassi claiming the trophy. Just like that, the world wanted more Madrid, so the Madrid Open claimed its place in the tennis clay season line-up. Today, Mutua Madrid occupies the centre slot in the clay calendar, just two tournaments ahead of the French Open. Now, before all the Madrid excitement, we relive the triumphs of the Madrid Open's past.
Five Years of Madrid Open
- 2024 winners: Men's - Andrey Rublev (Russia); Women's - Iga Świątek (Poland)
- 2023 winners: Men's - Carlos Alcaraz (Spain); Women's - Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus)
- 2022 winners: Men's - Carlos Alcaraz; Women's - Ons Jabeur (Tunisia)
- 2021 winners: Men's - Alexander Zverev (Germany); Women's - Aryna Sabalenka
- 2020: cancelled due to COVID
Madrid Open Results 2024
As noted above, Poland's tennis darling, Iga Świątek, claimed the women's title. Russian player Andrey Rublev grabbed the men's trophy, playing as an independent. This win marks Andrey's second Masters' title, and 16th career Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) tour Singles title. Not too shabby for someone who turned pro only in 2014.
Canadian player Félix Auger-Aliassime took his place as Andrey's runner-up. What's notable about this up-and-coming player is the country he represents.
His near-win marks the first time in Madrid's history that a Canadian came so close to winning.
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On the Women's court, Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka narrowly lost to her rival, Iga (7–5, 4–6, 7–6). The two reversed their positions from the year before, when Aryna claimed the title, leaving Iga with the Finalist prize.
Fans were keen for Rafael Nadal to claim another Madrid title. That wasn't in the cards. They witnessed his farewell to tennis, instead.
Madrid Open 2024: Notable Moments
For most of the Madrid Open's 23 years, Rafa remained the star player. He claimed his first Madrid title in 2005, just three years after the tournament's debut. As a Spaniard, he added star power to his every Madrid win, like the native son who keeps returning for trophies.
Meanwhile, another tennis favourite, World #1 Novak Djokovic, withdrew from the tournament. More disappointment for the fans, but they soon had other players to fawn over.
- Carlos Alcaraz: two-time defending champion, defeated in the quarterfinals
- Taylor Fritz: the first American player to reach the Madrid Open semifinals, since the tournament switched to clay courts (in 2009).
- Daniil Medvedev: the latest of the 'born in 1990' players to reach the quarterfinals in all nine ATP Masters' events. He's the 10th player ever to manage this feat.
Madrid Tennis Results 2023
This is the year the Madrid Open revised its format. This tournament had been growing - in the number of players declaring their intent to play, and in significance.
The event expanded into a full, two-week affair, to accommodate all the players and the additional matches.
Madrid 2023 featured 96 matches (up from 56), adding up to 22 day and evening sessions, in total.
All the top names from the Spanish line-up anticipated playing: Rafa, of course, and Carlos, but also Roberto Bautista and Pablo Carreño. Other big names, like Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas, were expected to make the scene.
How the Tournament Played Out
Native Son Carlos Alcaraz claimed the title, defeating German Jan-Lennard Struff 6–4, 3–6, 6–3. This was Carlos' second Madrid title win. As for Jan-Lennard, we might conclude that Madrid's Caja Májica is not his best venue. Until his Finals win, he'd never advanced further than first runner-up on these courts.
In the Women's contests, Aryna Sabalenka triumphed over Iga Świątek, 6–3, 3–6, 6–3. Iga may have lost to her rival, but this Finals win was a Madrid triumph for her. She'd never advanced beyond quarterfinals, till then.
Madrid Tennis Scores 2022
On the Women's courts, Tunisian Ons Jabeur faced off against American Jessica Pegula. They were well-matched, with Ons claiming victory in the first and third sets. Jessica roared back after her first set near-miss, to shut her opponent out.
This fiery match ended with a score of 7–5, 0–6, 6–2.
Since turning pro in 2011, Ons Jabeur graced the Madrid courts only once, in 2021.
She finished as a third runner-up. Her 2022 win came virtually out of nowhere.
Madrid Open, 2022 edition, was Carlos Alcaraz's tournament. It was during this event that he emerged as a top Spanish tennis player. He ruled over his opponent, German player Alexander Zverev, in 6–3, 6–1 sets.
Madrid Open 2022 Highlight Reel
Carlos Alcaraz didn't just win this tournament, he scored major victories against two of the biggest names in Men's tennis. Furthermore, he's the only one to do so twice, in the same tournament.
Against Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinal round.
Against Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.
The Djokovic-Alcaraz semifinal match entered the tennis history books as the ATP Match of the Year. It's no wonder Carlos is a favourite son! But, the Madrid Open 2022 gave fans other remarkable moments to fawn over.
Madrid Open Scores 2021
This year offered a welcome return to tournaments after the 2020 cancellation of events, due to COVID. The Madrid Open delivered its share of fireworks, and then some.
We might say that Madrid 2021 was the Tournament of Young Players. Many new tennis pros made their Madrid Open debut that year. These players' youthful energy brought a new competitive edge to the event:
- Andrey Rublev
- Jannik Sinner
- Iga Świątek
- Aslan Karatsev
- Matteo Berrettini
In fact, Matteo narrowly missed out on claiming the title. He and fifth-seeded Alexander Zverev fought a close contest: 6–7, 6–4, 6–3. Points aside, this match was noteworthy because it was the first time in the tournament's history that a player from the bottom half of the draw (Berrettini) reached the Final round.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were expected, but only Nadal graced the courts.
Novak was on the Madrid Open schedule that year, but withdrew at the last minute. His departure gave Spaniard Alejandro Fokina, his replacement, a chance to shine.
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The Women's Results
The Women's matches were no less remarkable. Iga Świątek made her Madrid Open debut, roaring back after a disappointing (early) hard-court season. Ashleigh Barty took her out in the third round - but, if one must lose, Dame Barty is the tennis player to lose to, no?
In the end, Iga's rival, Aryna Sabalenka, triumphed over Ash Barty, taking the trophy with 6–0, 3–6, 6–4. That loss marked Dame Barty's last Madrid Open appearance; she retired from professional tennis in 2022.
Madrid Open Results 2019
Regrettably, the past five years of Madrid Open results includes one year when the tournament couldn't go on as planned. Still, we promised five years of Madrid Open scores, and we intend to deliver. So, we skip over that abomination of a year, to 2019 - a time when nobody had any inkling of pandemics.
Romanian Simona Halep had twice won the Madrid Open Women's title, in 2016 and 2017. Dutch player Kiki Bertens made sure Simona would not see victory on those courts again. She won, with 6–4, 6–4.
Men's Tennis Results
This was the time Novak Djokovic ruled the courts - all the courts, not just clay. He, Nadal, and Roger Federer were The Big Three. So, it's no surprise that Novak claimed the Madrid Open Men's title. He was well-matched with Stefanos Tsitsipas, but sealed the Greek player's loss in two sets, with 6–3, 6–4.
Madrid Open: Trends and Patterns
In tennis, rivalries are almost as exciting as the game itself. The Nadal-Federer-Djokovic rivalry filled sports magazines, and made for lively banter in the announcement booths. Now, with only Djokovic left on the circuit, tennis fans need another rivalry to gasp over.
The Iga-Aryna Rivalry
Granted, these top players are rivals on all courts, not just Madrid's. Still, their talent and skill sees them best matched at this venue.
Aryna beats Iga, 6–3, 3–6, 6–3
Iga beats Aryna, 7–5, 4–6, 7–6
We might consider Aryna the dominant Madrid player, as she already had a tournament win (in 2021). Anticipation runs high to see which one of them will carry the day, this year.
Dominant Nations
Looking over this tournament's 23-year history, we find that players from two nations dominate: Spain and Germany. At least, in Men's tennis.
2023
Spain wins, Germany as Final
2022
Spain wins, Germany as Final
2021
Germany wins, Italy as Final
2018
Germany wins, Austria as Final
2017
Spain wins, Austria as Final
2015
Britain wins, Spain as Final
That's just going back 10 years. In all, we count eight wins for Spain, and two for Germany, not counting finals. Curiously, on the Women's side, neither Spain nor Germany has carried the title.
Chasing Records
To date, only one Women's tennis player has won the Madrid Open three times. Serena Williams and Simona Halep each claimed two wins. They're both one short of Petra Kvitová's three titles. Aryna, with her two wins, is close and may tie Petra's record this year. That's something a Madrid Open player can earn that's worth more than prize money.
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