Former champion Novak Djokovic is again on the Madrid Open for the primary time in three years, chasing a historic milestone: his a hundredth tour-level title.
Seeded No. 4, the 37-year-old Serbian star shares the identical half of the draw as No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, the Spanish favourite who returns to the Caja Mágica nursing health issues after reaching back-to-back clay-court finals.
Djokovic, a three-time Madrid champion, final competed within the Spanish capital in 2022, when he misplaced to Alcaraz in an exhilarating semifinal — their first profession assembly.
Since capturing his 99th title on the Paris Olympics final August, Djokovic has fallen quick in 4 finals, together with a runner-up end final month in Miami.
Only Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) have reached the unique 100-title membership.
Over the previous two weekends, Alcaraz gained the Monte Carlo Masters and misplaced within the Barcelona Open last, the place he required remedy on his higher proper leg on Sunday.
“I’m confident it won’t affect me in Madrid,” he mentioned. “That’s what happens when you play so many matches and have so few days to rest. It’s so demanding, and you have to give 100% every day. Having played a tournament like Monte Carlo and arriving in Barcelona with few days to adapt is really tough.”
Alcaraz mentioned fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal, a five-time winner in Madrid, wrote to him after the Barcelona last to encourage him and say he hoped he wasn’t injured.
“I bow at the feet of Rafa because of what he did week after week,” Alcaraz mentioned. “You have to respect that.”
Alexander Zverev, ranked No. 2 on the planet after successful in Munich over the weekend, is the highest seed in Madrid, with Taylor Fritz seeded No. 3. Defending champion Andrey Rublev is seeded No. 7.
Djokovic owns a 30-9 document in Madrid, with titles in 2011, 2016 and 2019. He defeated his present coach, Andy Murray, within the 2016 last.
Alcaraz gained Madrid in 2022 and 2023.
The girls’s draw consists of 29 of the highest 30 gamers. No. 15 Barbora Krejcikova is lacking resulting from damage.
Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka is looking for her fourth last look in Madrid in 5 years. She gained the event in 2021 and 2023, and misplaced final yr’s last to Iga Swiatek, the No. 2 seed this week.
Source: www.dailysabah.com