The celestial bubble surrounding the Mutua Madrid Open has deflated in recent days. Last Thursday, Rafa Nadal announced his withdrawal from the tournament in the Spanish capital (held from April 24 to May 7). This Saturday, Novak Djokovic also confirmed his absence. The world No. 1 is not participating at Caja Mágica due to a lingering right elbow issue that has persisted for days.
Alcaraz seeking to capitalize as Djokovic withdraws
With Djokovic out, the Serb will not be able to defend the points he earned by reaching the semi finals last year, where he fell to the eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz. The Spanish teenager, currently No. 2 in the ATP rankings, now has a clear opportunity to reduce Djokovic’s early advantage if he can continue his strong form. A strong run in Madrid, following his recent performances in Barcelona and Barcelona events, could reshape the clay-court narrative for the season.
Djokovic has been managing problems in his right elbow since the start of the European clay-court swing. The issue has affected him in the two events he has played so far, Monte Carlo and Barcelona. The discomfort, which limited his performance, has underscored a dip in form that surprised many observers and raised questions about his readiness for the clay season.
Rafa Nadal withdraws from Mutua Madrid Open and Roland Garros hangs in the balance: “No hard deadline”
Daniel Gomez Alonso
Destination Roland Garros
Nadal has announced he will miss the Masters 1000 event in Madrid to focus on recovery from a psoas injury that has sidelined him since January 19. The injury has forced an extended layoff beyond the initial six-to-eight week window, casting doubt on his participation in Roland Garros. Nadal, a five-time Madrid winner, has accumulated titles in Madrid in the years 2005, 2010, 2013, 2014, and 2017, with a contrasting tally of three titles for the Serbs at the Paris clay showpiece in 2011, 2016, and 2019.
Given Nadal’s ongoing absence for the Madrid Masters and the lingering health concerns, Roland Garros now faces a more uncertain timetable for the Spaniard. “The expected recovery period was six to eight weeks, and we are already past that,” a medical update noted. “All steps were followed, but progress did not come as hoped, leaving the situation difficult.”
Tennis players entering a challenging field
Djokovic may be cautious and could be the first to be contacted at the Rome Masters 1000 to gather footage for Roland Garros. Absent are Brandon Nakashima and Djokovic for Madrid, while Michael Mmoh and Fabio Fognini join the Madrid main draw. Italians Matteo Berrettini and others face oblique injuries; Berrettini in Monte Carlo is reported to be out for up to six weeks with an abdominal issue complicating his campaign. The world No. 22 has been managing a degree of fatigue and strain, a reminder of how grueling the clay season can be.
Nadal’s path toward a fourth Masters 1000 title in Madrid remains fraught with doubt. Since stepping away from competition in Australia, he has missed sessions in Doha and Dubai in February, Indian Wells and Miami in March, Monte Carlo and the Godó in Barcelona in April, and now faces Caja Mágica in Madrid with an uncertain return ahead. The ongoing recovery demands patience as the season pivots toward the European clay swing and the long road to Roland Garros.