This year’s Madrid Open has slashed their prize money pool by 60% compared to two years ago with the 2021 champions getting just over a quarter of what they would have earned in 2019.
The combined event is categorised as a WTA 1000 for women and a ATP 1000 masters for the men. It is Spain’s most prestigious tournament in terms of status with most of the world’s best players taking part. Although one notable absence is reigning champion Novak Djokovic who announced his withdrawal on Tuesday. The Madrid Open didn’t take place last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The combined prize money pool is €5,228,930 which works out as a 60% drop compared to what was offered in 2019. Like other events around the world, the sharp decline is related to the financial implications caused by the pandemic. This year’s Miami Open also reduced their total payout by 65.65% compared to 12 months before.
Unlike some other tournaments, all rounds of the Madrid Open will be offering less prize money than their previous edition with the biggest cut coming at the very top. The 2021 men’s and women’s champion will each take home €315,160 which is a fall of 73.79%. In 2019 winners Djokovic and Kiki Bertens earned €1,202,520. Players who reach the third round or further this year will see more than a 50% drop. Even those who lose in the first round will take home 36.7% less.
“Any post-covid event is a daily fight,” tournament director Feliciano Lopez told abc.es. “The sponsors have responded in an incredible way in a difficult situation for everyone. I appreciate it to all of them. It (the pandemic) complicates everything a lot, for the players and the public.”
The Madrid Open will be held in front of a reduced crowd (40% of its usual capacity) due to COVID-19 restrictions. Regular temperature checks and social distance monitoring will also be in force. If that wasn’t enough for officials to contend with, they also have to abide by the city’s 11pm curfew. Meaning it is possible that some matches may have to be paused whilst fans are evacuated from the venue.
“We have always been an innovative and courageous tournament and it is the way to show that little by little we can return to normality,” said Lopez. “And give a positive image to people so that they can think that they can watch tennis and enjoy the best tennis. It is an important step coming from what we come from. It is what we want to show. You can enjoy life responsibly. It is the message.”
The Madrid Open main draw will start on Wednesday with the women’s tournament. World No.1 Ash Barty, Petra Kvitova, Kiki Bertens, Garbine Muguruza and Elina Svitolina will all be playing on the opening day.
Madrid Open prize money: 2019 Vs 2021
| 2019 | 2021 | change | |
| Champion | €1,202,520 | €315,160 | -73.79% |
| Runner-up | €608,700 | €188,280 | -69.07% |
| Semi-finals | €312,215 | €106,690 | -65.83% |
| Quarter-finals | €160,920 | €58,370 | -63.73% |
| Third Round | €80,620 | €36,400 | -54.85% |
| Second Round | €42,220 | €22,720 | -46.19% |
| First Round | €23,790 | €15,060 | -36.70% |
| Q1 | €9,105 | €7,655 | -15.93% |
| Q2 | €4,550 | €4,080 | -10.33% |
