Bernabeu becomes training ground! Zheng Qinwen leads Chinese contingent to brave Madrid

On March 31 Beijing time, the entry list for the 2026 ATP/WTA 1000 Madrid main draw was released. As the first mandatory 1000-level combined event of this year's clay season, the Madrid main draw list is star-studded, with all top 10 men's and women's singles players participating. The event will take place from April 20 to May 3, with the main draw starting on April 21.

Zheng Qinwen (Photo: Li Jianyi)

Wang Xinyu (Photo: Li Jianyi)

Zhang Shuai (Photo: Li Jianyi)

In women's singles, the Chinese contingent consists of Zheng Qinwen, Wang Xinyu, and Zhang Shuai, all three directly entering the main draw. This marks Zheng Qinwen's fifth consecutive appearance in the Madrid main draw; her best result here was a win over McNally in 2023. Despite a modest past record, she has significant potential for ranking improvement this year. Wang Xinyu will make her fourth consecutive Madrid main draw appearance; in 2024, she saved a match point to defeat Tomova in the first round, securing her sole win at this event so far. Zhang Shuai has also managed only one victory in her seven previous Madrid campaigns, coming from a first-round win over Osaka Naomi in 2018.

Zhang Zhizhen reference photo (Photo: Li Jianyi)

In men's singles, Zhang Zhizhen is the sole Chinese player entering the main draw, using a protected ranking to register. Zhang Zhizhen made history at this event in 2023 by defeating three top-30 players—Shapovalov (No.27), Norrie (No.13), and Fritz (No.10)—becoming the first Chinese male player to reach the quarterfinals of an ATP 1000 Masters event. He missed the tournament last year due to injury.

Women's singles entry poster

Women's world No.1 and defending champion Sabalenka will return to her successful venue to defend her title. As a three-time champion here with a 23-4 record, Sabalenka is the active player with the best performance in Madrid. Last year, she dropped only one set en route to her third title, defeating strong opponents consecutively. This season, Sabalenka has already won three titles, but given her outstanding clay season last year, she still needs to defend points to maintain her top ranking.

This year's Australian Open champion Rybakina will challenge for the world No.1 spot during the clay season; currently, her points gap with Sabalenka is 2017. In her five previous Madrid appearances, Rybakina's best result was reaching the semifinals in 2024, where she lost a tight three-set match to Sabalenka. Last year, Rybakina had an average clay season, exiting Madrid and Rome in the third round.

The 2024 champion Swiatek is the only other former champion remaining in the entry list, aside from the retired former champions. Former finalists Gauff and Pegula are also entered. Czech former world No.1 Ka. Pliskova enters using a protected ranking. The current cutoff for the main draw is No.72 Putintseva.

Men's singles entry poster

Men's world No.1 and former champion Alcaraz returns to play in Madrid after two years, having won consecutive titles here in 2022 and 2023. Last year, Alcaraz won three clay titles—Monte Carlo, Rome, and Roland Garros—but opted to skip Madrid to allow more rest between events.

World No.2 Sinner, who recently achieved the "Sunshine Double," will also aim for the top ranking during the clay season. Having been suspended last year, he has no points to defend before the Rome Masters; the 1000 ranking points from the Madrid title will be crucial in this race. Sinner's best Madrid result is the quarterfinals achieved in 2024.

Ruud will embark on his title defense; last year in Madrid, he defeated three top-10 players—Fritz (No.4), Medvedev (No.10), and Draper (No.6)—to claim his first Masters title. Former champions Djokovic, Zverev, and Rublev are also on the list. Danish star Rune, sidelined by injury for nearly half a year, has entered and may return to competition in Madrid. The current cutoff for the main draw is No.75 former finalist Struff.

Entry list

The Madrid event expanded to a 128 draw in 2023 and will see further upgrades this year. These include using the home stadium of La Liga club Real Madrid—the Bernabeu—as a training venue for top players. Additionally, Spanish tennis legend Muguruza will join F. Lopez as co-tournament director.

This year's Madrid total prize money is €8,235,540. The best singles result by a Chinese player here is Li Na's women's singles semifinal in 2011; Xu Yifan reached the women's doubles final in 2019.

(Text, editor: Dato)