This week is the start of Spain’s most prestigious tennis tournament in Madrid but there will be a few familiar faces missing from the line-up.
Held at the Caja Magica, the 10-day event is categorized as a Masters 1000 for men and as a WTA 1000 for women. This year’s singles champions will each take home €1,105,265 in prize money, as well as 1000 ranking points. The majority of the world’s best tennis players are in attendance but some are absent for various reasons.
So who isn’t playing this year and why? Here is everything you need to know.
MEN’S DRAW
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Things haven’t gone to plan for the 22-time Grand Slam champion so far this season on the clay. After missing two Masters events in America due to his vaccination status, Djokovic returned to action in Monte Carlo where he suffered a shock loss to Lorenzo Musetti in the third round. Then last week at the Srpska Open in Bosnia, he was stunned in the quarter-finals by Dusan Lajovic who went on to win the title.
Djokovic’s recent blips coincide with an ongoing issue concerning his elbow which has forced him to pull out of Madrid. Neither he nor his team has commented on the issue in recent days with his latest withdrawal being announced by the tournament organizers. However on April 18th Djokovic said to reporters ‘”The elbow is not in an ideal condition, but let’s say it’s good enough.’
He is still down on the entry list for Rome.
JANNIK SINNER: The past few weeks have seen a lot of encouraging results from the Italian who has reached the semi-final stage or better at three consecutive Masters 1000 events. However, doubts over his fitness started to emerge last week in Barcelona where he admitted to reporters that his recovery between matches took longer than he expected.
Sinner then pulled out of his quarter-final match due to illness which is also the same reason why he is not playing in the Spanish capital. He is yet to go beyond the third round of the tournament in his career.
RAFAEL NADAL: Nadal’s injury struggles have been well documented. He has been absent from the Tour since January due to a hip injury that his team initially thought would sideline him for only eight weeks. However, the recovery hasn’t gone to plan and he faces a race against time to be fit for his title defence at the French Open.
“I have followed the medical advice but the progress has not been as they told us at the beginning. We find ourselves in a difficult situation, the weeks are passing by,” Nadal said in a video published on April 20th.
“I was training, but a few days ago we decided to change course, try another treatment, and see if things improve to try and be ready for what is to come. I can’t specify time periods because if I knew them I would tell you, but I don’t know.” He added.
Nadal has won the Madrid Open five times in his career which is more than any other player.
MATTEO BERRETTINI: For the second year running the Italian has had to contend with injury issues during the European clay swing. Berrettini recently pulled out of Monte Carlo due to abdominal pain before later being diagnosed with a team in an oblique muscle tear which has sidelined him from the action.
“The intense rehab program has begun with my medical team in Barcelona,” Berrettini wrote on Instagram.“I will do everything I can to be back competing as soon as possible. Unfortunately I will not be able to compete in Madrid. I will keep you all updated when I have more news.”
OTHER MEN’S WITHDRAWALS: Marin Cilic remains out of action for the foreseeable future due to a knee injury. Nick Kyrgios has also cited a left knee issue as the reason for his absence. Coincidentally, 2022 ATP Next Gen champion Brandon Nakashima is also out due to a knee problem.
British rising star Jack Draper has pulled out after struggling with an issue with his abdominal area in recent weeks and Australian Open quarter-finalist Jenson Brooksby is still out of action following wrist surgery.
WOMEN’S DRAW
ONS JABEUR: It was 12 months ago at the Caja Magica when Jabeur won the biggest title of her career to date by defeating Jessica Pegula in the final. However, she has been forced to pull out of this year’s draw with a calf injury. The problem started to arise in Stuttgart where the Tunisian was forced to retire hurt from her semi-final match against Iga Swiatek.
“Further to many medical exams done, it shows that I have a small tear in my calf and I will need more time to recover,” Jabeur wrote on social media.
“I am sad to announce that I won’t be able to compete and defend my title this year [in Madrid].
“I would like to wish to everyone and the tournament a great event and looking forward to coming back next year.”
It is the second injury blow for the 28-year-old this season after she missed a couple of Middle Eastern events following minor surgery.
KAROLINA PLISKOVA: Like Jabeur, the former world No.1 is absent from Madrid after suffering an injury whilst playing in Stuttgart. Pliskova said in a statement that she has injured her knee but didn’t go into the severity of the matter.
“So sorry I have to announce my withdrawal from @MutuaMadridOpen,” she tweeted on Sunday. “During my last match in Stuttgart, I injured my knee. I will try my best to be ready for Rome.”
Pliskova has only won back-to-back matches in Madrid once out of eight attempts, which was in 2018 when she reached the semi-finals.
BELINDA BENCIC: Switzerland’s Bencic, who has won two Tour titles so far this year, has decided to take a brief break to rest her body. The world No.11 confirmed on Instagram that she has been suffering from a hip issue in recent weeks. She will also miss Rome which immediately follows Madrid.
“I have some discomfort on my hip, which I struggled with during the US swing as well, and need to take a little rest, and recover to be back at 100% for Roland Garros,” Bencic said on Instagram. “I will miss both tournaments dearly but will be back in a few weeks and can’t wait to be back competing soon and continuing in great form.”
Bencic has won nine out of 14 matches played in Madrid so far in her career.
OTHER WITHDRAWALS: Both Danielle Collins and Madison Keys have pulled out but neither of them have commented. Meanwhile, Katerina Siniakova is out with a wrist injury.
