The Mutua Madrid Open is gearing up for another exciting tournament as world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, who played a memorable final in Madrid last year, are leading the entry list.
Tennis fans will recall their incredible match in the 2024 Madrid final, where Swiatek narrowly defeated Sabalenka in a three-set thriller lasting over three hours. It was celebrated as one of the most captivating matches of the year.
Since that epic encounter, both players have continued their success, with Swiatek winning the French Open and Sabalenka claiming the US Open title. They faced each other twice more in 2024, with Swiatek winning in Rome and Sabalenka avenging her Madrid loss in Cincinnati. Their rivalry, now at 12 matches, is one of the most compelling in women`s tennis today, and they haven`t played since their Cincinnati match.
Joining Swiatek and Sabalenka in Madrid are former champions Petra Kvitova (a three-time winner) and Ons Jabeur, the 2022 champion. The tournament will also feature a total of 15 Grand Slam champions, including Coco Gauff, Madison Keys, Elena Rybakina, Barbora Krejcikova, Jelena Ostapenko, Victoria Azarenka, Marketa Vondrousova, Emma Raducanu, Naomi Osaka, and Bianca Andreescu, promising a high-caliber field.
The Madrid Open has attracted the Top 72 players in the WTA rankings as of March 17, along with special ranking entries for players like Kvitova, returning from maternity leave; Cirstea, recovering from surgery; Andreescu, after a delayed start to the season; and Sevastova, coming back from injury after maternity leave.
Jaqueline Cristian, ranked No. 72, is the last direct entrant. Players on the alternate list include Katie Volynets, Caroline Garcia, Caroline Dolehide, Eva Lys, Kamilla Rakhimova, Zeynep Sonmez, Emiliana Arango, Maya Joint, Laura Siegemund, and Elisabetta Cocciaretto, highlighting the depth of competition hoping to participate in Madrid.
Jasper Hawthorne 
Dominic Ashworth