Europe’s clay-court swing is hitting its stride, as the world’s top tennis stars find their footing at this week’s 2026 Madrid Open.
World No. 2 Elena Rybakina landed in Spain on a high after capturing her second Stuttgart Open title in three years, sailing to victory on a straight-set final win over Karolína Muchová.
“Winning a tournament for the second time is something very special,” the 2026 Australian Open champion said in Germany. “It’s such a great tournament, I’d like to come back every year. We players really enjoy our time in Stuttgart.”
Madrid marks the second main clay-court tuneup ahead of next week’s Italian Open in Rome — the final dress rehearsal before May’s Paris Open.
No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will make her 2026 clay debut Thursday. The 2025 Madrid Open champion skipped Stuttgart to manage an injury sustained during last month’s Sunshine Double sweep.
“It was really sad for me to skip Stuttgart,” Sabalenka subsequently told reporters. “The ideal plan is to maybe open up the schedule a little bit more to stay healthier, to be more ready to show my best tennis in each tournament.”
Other seeded stars scheduled to hit the court in this week’s main draw include reigning French Open winner Coco Gauff. No. 4 Iga Świątek, No. 5 Jessica Pegula, and No. 6 Amanda Anisimova fill out the top-ranked field.
How to Watch the 2026 Madrid Open
Madrid Open coverage runs through May 2nd, live on The Tennis Channel.
