Just days away from the start of this year’s tournament, we break down our four biggest questions heading into Madrid.

Can Boulter and Raducanu challenge the field?

There will once again be strong British interest at the Mutua Madrid Open, particularly in the women’s draw, where Katie Boulter and Emma Raducanu will be looking to make their mark against a field featuring all of the world’s top 10 players.

Boulter has made notable progress on clay over the past year. In 2025, she recorded her first tour‑level win on the surface before going on to lift her maiden clay‑court title at the WTA 125 event in Paris - marking a turning point in her confidence on the surface.

Now edging closer to a return to the world’s top 50, the British No.3 has already secured her first clay‑court win of the 2026 season at the Open de Rouen and will be aiming to carry that momentum into Madrid as she looks to test herself against elite opposition in Madrid.

Meanwhile, Raducanu, will be making her return to action after withdrawing from the Miami Open due to health issues. The former US Open champion’s best run in Madrid came in 2022, when she reached the third round and she’ll be hoping to channel that form as she returns to the Spanish capital.

Who could disrupt Alcaraz and Sinner’s dominance on clay?

The Monte Carlo Masters treated us to our first ATP final clash of the year between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner - and it didn’t disappoint. With the first Masters 1000 title on clay of the season up for grabs and the world No.1 ranking hanging in the balance, it was a high‑stakes showdown that saw Sinner emerge victorious and send an early statement ahead of the European clay‑court swing.

Now, as the tour moves to Madrid, all eyes will once again be on the sport’s two standout performers. Alcaraz, returning to home soil, will be eager to respond after his Monte Carlo defeat and reassert his dominance on clay, while Sinner arrives full of confidence following his breakthrough win on the surface.

However, there will be plenty more competition in the ATP field. Last year’s champion Casper Ruud returns as a proven clay‑court specialist and a former finalist at Roland Garros, while players such as Andrey Rublev - the 2024 champion - will look to thrive in the quicker conditions and Joao Fonseca will be hoping his fast start to the clay swing leads him to a maiden Masters 1000 crown.

Cam Norrie has been one of the most consistent British tennis players on the surface in recent years, and has made the third round on two occasions. The British No.1 has a 73-45 career record on clay and could be tipped for a deep run in Madrid.

With the French Open fast approaching, Madrid feels like a prime opportunity for players to start building some momentum. The dominance of Alcaraz and Sinner is clear -  but can anyone disrupt their grip on the clay before Paris?

Is Swiatek ready to rediscover her form on clay?

Iga Swiatek’s has endured a tricky start to the 2026 season by her own standards. The world No.4 is yet to reach a semi-final on the WTA Tour this year and was last in action at the Miami Open, where she suffered a surprise first round exit.

That said, a return to clay could not come at a better time. As a four‑time Roland Garros champion, Swiatek has long established herself as a dominant force on the surface, and Madrid offers an ideal opportunity to reset her season. 

The former world No.1 will arrive in Spain with renewed focus, having recently added Rafael Nadal’s former coach Francis Roig, to her team. As part of a training block with Roig ahead of the clay swing, Swiatek joined forced with Nadal himself for a practice session, where he provided plenty of guidance and advice.

Madrid marks the first of two WTA 1000 events on clay and, as a former champion at the tournament, Swiatek will be keen to make an early statement and will be one to watch over the coming weeks.

Which doubles duo will be the first to stamp their mark on the dirt?

There will be plenty of British representation in the doubles draw in Madrid - but which pairing can make the earliest statement on clay?

Leading the charge is 2022 champion Neal Skupski, who will be aiming to add a second title of the season to his collection. The British No.1 has shown he can adapt quickly to the clay, having reached the quarter-finals in Monte Carlo alongside Christian Harrison, with the Australian Open champions looking to build some form ahead of the second Grand Slam of the year next month,

Also in action will be the all‑British pairing of Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool, who are still searching for their first title of the season. The 2025 Wimbledon champions have established themselves as one of the most consistent teams on tour, but will be looking to spark up their season by clinching their first trophy on the red clay in Madrid.

Meanwhile, Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara arrive in strong form and will be looking to build on their momentum by adding another Masters 1000 title to their growing partnership. Having joined forces two years ago, the British, Finnish duo have tasted success on the surface before - winning their first ATP title together on the clay in Marrakech.