Djokovic to Return to Madrid Masters

Novak Djokovic will participate in this year's Madrid Masters 1,000, as announced on Tuesday. This marks the Serbian's first appearance in the capital since 2022, when he reached the semi-finals and lost to Carlos Alcaraz. This was one of the early major victories for the young Spaniard, who had just defeated Rafa Nadal in the quarter-finals and went on to win the title days later.

Djokovic first debuted in Madrid in 2006 and has won the Madrid Masters three times, all at the Manolo Santana Stadium, in 2011, 2016, and 2019. In total, he has won 30 matches and lost nine.

The Serbian is currently competing in the Miami Masters 1,000, aiming to turn around a season where he reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open but suffered early exits in Doha and Indian Wells, marking three consecutive defeats for the first time in seven years.

The Belgrade native joins a star-studded lineup at the Mutua Madrid Open, which already includes Alcaraz, the 2022 and 2023 winner, Alexander Zverev, the 2018 and 2021 champion, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, and the current champion Andrey Rublev. Jannik Sinner will not be able to participate in Madrid due to a three-month doping suspension, which extends until early May, when he will return to the circuit at the Rome Masters 1,000.

The Madrid Masters 1,000 will commence on April 21 and conclude on May 4. It is the fourth Masters 1,000 of the season, following Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte Carlo.