The 2024 Mutual Madrid Open is already underway at La Caja Majica in the Spanish capital, and ahead of the mens’ singles event beginning on Wednesday, April 24, anticipation is high amongst the home crowd with several Spaniards going for glory.
One of these is of course defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, but veteran legend Rafael Nadal will also be taking to the clay court and makes his second appearance on this year’s ATP Tour since the Brisbane International in early January.
Returning to the circuit ranked 644th in the world at present, Nadal will be hoping for a strong showing in Madrid as he looks to round off what could well prove to be his last year in professional tennis. He is one of only two players, along with Canadian Denis Shapovalov, to enter this year’s event with a protected ranking, given to competitors who have been injured for up to six months.
With a first-round tie against the USA’s Darwin Blanch up first for the 37-year-old, the home crowd will be hoping to see some strong form from Nadal, and you can follow his progress through the 2024 Madrid Open with us at The Sporting News.
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Nadal’s opening match at this year’s Madrid Open pits him against American wildcard pick Darwin Blanch, who is over 21 years Nadal’s junior at just 16, on Thursday, April 25. While the official start time is yet to be confirmed, it’s believed that this match will take place on the main court at Caja Magica.
His first round opponent may be less than half his age, but Blanch has experience playing in practice matches against another Spaniard — Carlos Alcaraz. The winner will pass through to the second round, where they’ll face Australian 10th seed Alex de Minaur.
Nadal faces Blanch at the Caja Magica on Thursday, April 25, 2024, with the official start time of the match yet to be confirmed.
As one of the poster boys for Spanish tennis, Nadal’s first round match will be one of the most anticipated clashes in the early stages of this year’s Madrid Open, and as such there’s plenty of coverage confirmed ahead of the tournament beginning.
Here’s a look at the following TV channels and live streams in the major territories:
As a long, storied and successful career begins to come to a close, it’s fitting that Nadal’s bursting onto the scene in the early 2000’s also marked the birth of the Madrid Open.
Replacing the original Spanish Open in 2002, the 21 previous editions of the event have seen Nadal pick up a record-breaking five titles, claiming his first in 2005 and following on with further success in 2010, 2013, 2014 and most recently 2017.
Nadal was also the runner-up in the 2009, 2011 and 2015 deicders, last reaching the semifinals in 2019, and after missing last year’s tournament through injury, the veteran Spaniard will be hoping to go out with a bang in 2024.
