Alcaraz to Face Bergs or Nishioka in Madrid Masters Debut

Carlos Alcaraz will make his debut at the Madrid Masters 1,000 against the winner of the match between Belgian Zizou Bergs and Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka. The Spaniard, seeded second in the tournament, is drawn with Novak Djokovic, whom he could face in the semi-finals, a scenario that has become almost a tradition in 2025, as it has occurred in every tournament they have both participated in, except Monte Carlo.

On his potential path to what would be his third title in Madrid after 2022 and 2023, Alcaraz would face Bergs or Nishioka in the second round, Jiri Lehecka, his conqueror in Doha, in the third, Tomas Machac or Grigor Dimitrov in the round of 16, and Alex de Minaur in the quarter-finals.

In the semi-finals, Djokovic awaits, a three-time winner in Madrid (2011, 2016, and 2019), returning to the capital after a two-year absence. The Serbian, who has already set foot on the Manolo Santana court and trained on the outer courts alongside compatriot Hemed Medjedovic, was seen on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabéu with his family, celebrating Fede Valverde's goal that secured Real Madrid's victory over Athletic. Djokovic was knocked out early in Monte Carlo, losing in the first round to Alejandro Tabilo, and will debut in Madrid against Matteo Arnaldi or a qualifier.

There is uncertainty about Alcaraz's physical condition following the discomfort he experienced in the second set of the Conde de Godó final against Holger Rune. An adductor issue required treatment from his physiotherapist twice, although the Spaniard is hopeful that a couple of days of rest will help him recover. "I felt something in my right adductor. I'm going to have two days of rest. I trust it won't affect me for Madrid," he stated in the press conference following his defeat to Rune.

The physical exertion over the two weeks between Monte Carlo and Barcelona has taken its toll on Alcaraz, who is defending last year's quarter-final points in Madrid and sees it as his last chance to close the gap on Jannik Sinner. The Italian will return to the circuit in two weeks at the Rome Masters 1,000, currently holding an 1,880-point lead over Alcaraz. Should he win in Madrid, the Spaniard will reduce the gap to 880 points.

As for the other Spaniards, Roberto Bautista and Jaume Munar will face each other in the first round, Pablo Carreño will meet Nuno Borges, Alejandro Davidovich will take on Francisco Cerúndolo, Pedro Martínez will play Francisco Comesaña, Roberto Carballés will face Mariano Navone, and Martín Landaluce will go up against Cameron Norrie.

The Madrid Masters, offering over eight million euros in prize money, began this Monday with the men's and women's qualifying draws.