world tennis tour 2023

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ATP World Tour Finals: Djokovic claims record seventh title – as it happened

Novak Djokovic claimed a record seventh ATP Finals title in Turin, defeating Jannik Sinner to round off a stratospheric season

• 19 Nov 2023 Djokovic beats Sinner! 6-3, 6-3
• 19 Nov 2023 Djokovic wins the first set v Sinner: 6-3
• 19 Nov 2023 Preamble

The greater the stakes , the greater the performance from Novak Djokovic . This has always been one of the key pillars of Djokovic’s success as he has swept up all significant titles in sight so many times over, and it has also been perfectly demonstrated throughout another triumphant week in Turin.

And that will be all from me. Thanks for reading, and congratulations to Novak Djokovic , who looks ominously fit, not to mention motivated to continue this dominance for the next few seasons. The way he played in the first set and a half simply left Sinner with no answer. Did Alcaraz’s Wimbledon win signal a changing of the guard? I don’t think so. Bye for now.

Djokovic has a chat with Henman on Amazon Prime: “I think I prepared myself very well for this match, for the atmosphere. I knew the place is going to go wild, it’s going to be very loud, the whole place supporting him. Obviously I knew that … but one thing is to know, and expect, and another is to actually experience.

“I think the match we had in the group stage really helped me prepare myself mentally and emotionally for what’s coming up … and I said yesterday, after the match against Alcaraz , I’ve been striking the ball really, really nicely. I’ve been feeling great on the court. And I’m very proud of this achievement – obviously, four out of five biggest trophies this year, after a very long season.

“Obviously, unpredictability … Not knowing whether I’m going to qualify for semis or not … thanks for Jannik, for allowing me to do that. And then I played arguably the two best matches. The circumstances of playing Alcaraz and Sinner – two best matches this year, no doubt. High, high level of tennis. I’m very thankful for another success.

“The match yesterday, and today – playing against the top players in the world, top rivals. Today, playing against the whole stadium as well, backing Jannik to win the trophy. He was in red-hot form, probably playing his best tennis … and I think I delivered when I needed to. I stayed tough. I had the better mentality. When I clinched the year world No 1 after beating Rune I kind of felt, you know, satisfied with that. I was not really fully into my remaining matches of the group. But luckily for me, I got the chance to be in the semis … and then when I got in the there I kind of switched on, you know, and delivered my A-game, no doubt.

“I feel great on the court, obviously I have to pick and choose and adjust my schedule a bit. I can’t play as much as I played maybe 10, 15 years ago. But when I play I try and bring my best game which I’ve been doing in the last few years.”

Hantuchova reckons Djokovic will win five more slams. (He has 24 now.) Rusedski thinks he’ll win four more: 28.

“I could see him playing for another three years,” says Henman. “The element that is out of his control is his speed of movement … when you get half a step slower, that is going to affect your game … I think he will play for three more years and maybe win two slams a year … I wouldn’t be surprised if he hits 30 majors. What he has achieved is truly remarkable.”

The Australian Open begins on 14 January 2024, so not long to wait for more tennis.

It appears that Sky Sports are taking on the rights for live tennis that Amazon Prime have had for the past several years.

It seems to be the end of the road for Amazon Prime’s tennis coverage. Catherine Whitaker, Tim Henman, Daniela Hantuchova and Greg Rusedski are reflecting on their five years working together … Tim Henman singles out Emma Raducanu’s US Open victory in 2021 as the high point. Mark Petchey drops in some banter about not being paid for any of the commentary he’s done in the past five years.

Djokovic speaks (translated from Italian): “Congratulations to Jannik, and to your team, even though I know it wasn’t the result you wanted today … to my team, thank you for helping me to get through this. I’m 36 now so things are a bit tougher. The work and dedication of my team is incredible … my family and my team give me joy and strength.

“Thanks [to the crowd] for the support I received, even if Jannik was your favourite … it’s very special to play in front of you, because of the pressure you bring.

And now in English: “I just want to thank all the people who don’t speak Italian. Thanks for following us through this very long season. For me it’s been a very successful one, one of the best I had in my career. We had a lot of tournaments played around the world … it’s amazing to see so many people supporting tennis. We are lucky to be a part of this wonderful sport. So thanks again and hopefully see you tomorrow … no, next year!”

“ Thank you very much everyone, ” Sinner says after a huge ovation from the crowd. “Good evening. Congratulations to Novak on everything you’ve won this season … you’re an inspiration, not only for everyone watching, but for all the players.

“Thanks to my team … we’ve made a lot of improvements … we had a chance to play against the best in the world, and we have to look at all the positive things we’ve done, this week and this season.

“I would like to thank the federation … in 2019 I played the [ATP Finals] NextGen, with a wildcard … a few years later to be here, at such a beautiful tournament … Thank you to all the sponsors and the umpires.

“And thanks to all of you [the crowd]. You looked after me like I was a little baby … and you gave me power … let’s see what happens next, we still have the Davis Cup.”

We’re ready for the presentations. Here’s Jannik Sinner! He shakes hands with the dignitaries on court and cracks a big smile, which is good to see. The crowd produce a huge cheer when he holds up his runner-up trophy.

Henman, on Amazon Prime , says that “was some of the best tennis I’ve ever seen” from Djokovic.

In the first set and a half, he was indeed untouchable. Sinner had no answer. And while there were a couple of unforced errors from Djokovic with the finish line in sight, Sinner still he had to show considerable resolve to avoid it being a complete walkover.

“ Djokovic is a champion ,” emails Simonetta Vallone. “But it was great to see this young Italian player give us all these emotions!”

“ Very special ,” says Djokovic on Amazon Prime in reacting to another victory. “One of the best seasons I’ve had in my life, and to crown it with a win against the hometown hero Jannik, who’s played such great tennis this week, it’s phenomenal.

“I’m very proud of these performances these last two days against the best two players in the world, Alcaraz and Sinner, next to me.”

“ Once again he showed us how powerful his mind is,” says the Amazon Prime pundit, Hantuchova, of Djokovic.

“It’s a hard lesson for him [Sinner] to learn today … He needs to improve his mind under pressure,” says Greg Rusedski alongside.

“He’ll be super proud … and he’ll so confident going into 2024,” adds Hantuchova of Sinner.

The story of that match , in a way, was how much character Sinner showed to at least slow the momentum of Djokovic, who started like a runaway train. Djokovic served with utter ruthlessness in that first set in particular – Sinner could not put any pressure on when he was returning. But anyway, that is Djokovic’s seventh ATP Finals title – he surpasses his old rival Roger Federer, who won six. He is out there on his own.

Djokovic beats Sinner! 6-3, 6-3

At 15-15 Sinner directs an ugly volley into the tramlines, not the sort of error you can afford when Djokovic can smell blood. Impressively, Sinner is back on it next up, spanking a clean ace down for 30-30. Another error from Sinner, though, and it’s championship point for the iconic Serb … And Sinner double faults, and that’s the lot!

*Sinner 3-6, 3-5 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

There are cracks appearing in the Djokovic game when it had previously looked close to perfect. He hits another volley long for 0-15. It’s soon 0-30, and there is tension in the air when some noise from the crowd causes Djokovic to stop his service action. Sinner dumps the next return tamely into the net, and then hits long, and Djokovic has wrestled it back to 30-30. Sinner errs wide again, with an arguably excessively high-tariff attempted winner, but at 40-30 some more accurate hitting from Sinner draws an error from his opponent, who nets from the baseline. Djokovic, nevertheless, rounds off the hold and Sinner has to serve to stay in this.

Sinner 3-6, 3-4 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)

That was a marathon. Djokovic misses what looks an easy volley, Sinner belts down an ace, and Sinner holds after a long, long battle! That was huge. Sinner is still in this - but only just. Can he exert any pressure on the Djokovic serve next up? The players sit down for a drink.

Sinner 3-6, 2-4 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Sinner draws a round of applause from Djokovic when he pegs his opponent back to 15-15 after losing the first point. Sinner hits high and wide next up and his body language is suddenly indifferent at best, slumping his shoulders and picking at his racket. But he unloads an accurate forehand on the next point to bring it back to 30-30. A sweet ace down the middle and that’s 40-30, but again Sinner can’t press home his advantage, coughing up an error into the net for deuce.

Some determined defence keeps Sinner in the next point, before a somewhat mishit forehand loops over the net and in, leaving Djokovic motionless! A deuce battle ensues, with Sinner having a couple of looks at game point … The third one comes when a Sinner forehand sneaks over the net off the cord.

The deuce battle turns out to be lengthy indeed, with Djokovic fighting back against some accurate serving by Sinner, who has noticeably raised his game since that first set. And still the deuce battle goes on …

*Sinner 3-6, 2-4 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Sinner, for the first time, has a glimmer on the Djokovic serve at 0-30. He aims down the line on the next point, going for the jugular, but veers out wide and that’s 15-30. The crowd is up, anyway, hoping the home favourite can get this break back … and they roar with delight when Djokovic hits wide next up! That’s 15-40! Do we have a ball game?

Djokovic serves up a booming wide serve that Sinner can’t get back. 30-40. Another chance for Sinner to break … the crowd yell out their encouragement even when Djokovic is about to serve. Sinner hits long, throwing away another precious break point, and gives it the double-handled teapot stance to show his disgust.

Djokovic, having been on the back foot on serve for the first time, rounds off the hold. Sinner goes to the corner of the court for his towel, and is visibly annoyed at having let that chance slip.

The Eiffel 65 classic “Blue” rings around the auditorium. It’s a classic in the sense it’s very old, anyway. Djokovic to serve again …

Sinner 3-6, 2-3 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)

A Djokovic forehand, fizzing down the line like a particularly well-directed firework, makes it 15-15. But Sinner keeps his head up and finds a way to win the game, eventually rounding it off with a cathartic smash. “A couple of very gritty holds,” says Petchey on commentary of Sinner’s recent efforts.

*Sinner 3-6, 1-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Djokovic cracks an opening ace down the middle. Then one out wide. 30-0. Then down the middle. 40-0. Sinner has won two points against the Djokovic serve at this stage. It’s a quite phenomenal display of serving. Another big serve – Sinner gets the frame of his racket on this one – but the ball flies almost straight upwards. And that’s the game.

Sinner 3-6, 1-2 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)

It’s quickly 0-30, and Sinner is teetering. But he brings a roar from the crowd by ending a run of 14 points in a row for Djokovic with a well-struck forehand as his opponent tries to regain position in the centre of the court. Next up, there is a lengthy baseline exchange and Djokovic blinks first, sending the ball wide. Sinner pumps up the crowd, shaking his fist and demonstrating that he has not lost hope. But on the next point a fearsome forehand to the corner is simply too good from Djokovic. Sinner stretches for it as best he can but can only get the frame of his racket on the ball.

Break point Djokovic – Sinner wrestles it back to deuce – but more high-class hustle from the Serb earns him another break point. The Italian does remarkably well to commit to his shots despite being break point down. Djokovic tries to pass him down the line but the ball flicks off the net and out. Djokovic looks stunned! He soon has another break point, but Sinner battles with spirit yet again, earns himself a game point, and then thumps a big serve down the middle which wins him the game. He shakes his fist and roars. Could he find a way? Physically, Sinner has looked a bit off the pace, but perhaps he’s beginning to warm up?

*Sinner 3-6, 0-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Another collection of top-drawer Djokovic serves to which Sinner simply has no answer. The love hold is sealed with a crisp ace out wide. Djokovic pumps his fist. Can he break his opponent again, next up?

Sinner 3-6, 0-1 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Uh-oh. Sinner falls a break down immediately in this second and potentially final set, and it’s a break to love. At 0-30 Sinner is distracted by some movement in the crowd when he’s about to serve. He then opts to challenge but the ball from his opponent is comfortably on the line. That’s 0-40. On the next rally it’s Djokovic who is in total control again – Sinner floats a backhand long – and the Serb is well on the road to victory here unless Sinner can stage some kind of spectacular recovery.

Djokovic wins the first set v Sinner: 6-3

Sinner puts up a fight on the first point, but Djokovic wins another attritional rally, and he roars and pumps his fist like he’s just won a grand slam. He’s up for this one. At 40-0 on Djokovic’s second serve, Sinner tries a spinning forehand but it drops wide. And that’s the first set. The straight-sets predictions are looking good right now. Djokovic is dominating, serving and returning with utter conviction and accuracy.

“The controlled aggression, the consistency, the power,” says Henman of Djokovic. “Sinner looked a little bit flat when he was down a break in that first set, but he’s got to retain his belief, which is easier said than done.”

“ Why did he beat Rune ?” asks Kevin Mulherrin. “It [throwing the game against Rune and eliminating Djokovic] would have been a perfectly valid tactic. The object is to win the tournament and beating Djokovic once is difficult enough but TWICE!

“Under similar circumstances I suspect Djokovic and a lot of other players would have been more calculating.”

Sinner 3-5 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Sinner fires a huge serve down the middle for 30-0, but misdirects a big forehand into the net for 30-15. Djokovic, unquestionably, is the player hitting the ball with more authority. Sinner fluffs a backhand from the baseline and it’s 30-30. Djokovic has yet to miss with a second-serve return, and he is exerting serious pressure on Sinner in every facet of the game. Still, the 22-year-old produces an excellent first serve for 40-15, then smacks an ace down the middle for the game. The crowd chant and cheer, but Djokovic can serve for the first set.

*Sinner 2-5 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Djokovic has his game face on. A succession of pinpoint-accurate serves, and a clumsy mishit from Sinner, helps him to a love hold. Sinner has to serve to stay in the first set. At this rate Djokovic is going to make short work of this final. The players sit down for a drink, the DJ drops the latest rework of The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall into My Mind) by the Bucketheads.

Sinner 2-4 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Sinner makes it 15-0 with a solid wide serve and winner into the open court. Djokovic gifts him the next point, hitting into the net, and at 40-0 Sinner tries to crush a forehand winner, inside-out, but only finds the net. However, Djokovic hits long next up, and Sinner reduces his first-set deficit, still a break down.

*Sinner 1-4 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

The Djokovic forehand is like a sledgehammer. He’s hitting it with complete authority, and Sinner is very much being forced on to the back foot, furrowing his brow and wondering how he can get a foothold in this first set. At 30-15, Djokovic cracks an ace down the middle, and easily wins the next point after a brief rally to seal the game.

“Novak Djokovic, the immovable force,” says Mark Petchey on commentary. I think he means immovable object?

Sinner 1-3 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)

After an unreturnable serve for 15-0, Djokovic leans into a hugely powerful forehand that would make most players crumble, but Sinner bravely stays in the point. Having gained the upper hand the Serb eventually hits a clean winner for 15-15. Sinner then mixes things up beautifully, crushing a big serve for 30-15, then hitting a delightful drop shot for 40-15 that Djokovic applauds.

Sinner comes to the net and volleys for the game, but Djokovic has his measure and hits a brilliant lob to peg him back to 40-30. Sinner unloads from the baseline on the next point, but can only find the net, and it’s deuce … then there is a break in play as it seems someone’s mobile phone is going off in the crowd. There’s always one.

At deuce, a powerful rally from both players ends with Sinner hitting long – it looks in – the Italian decides not to challenge, but Hawkeye indicates it did indeed clip the line. Oh well – Sinner coughs up an unforced error next up, hitting wide with another attempted big hit – and Djokovic is a break up.

*Sinner 1-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

At 30-0, Djokovic whips a powerful backhand wide – a sloppy error by his exacting standards. He’s back on it on the next point, bending an ace beyond the reach of Sinner for 40-15. The Italian is wayward with his next return, sending it wide, and that’s another easy enough hold for Djokovic. Time for a drink and a tune or two from the in-house DJ.

Sinner 1-1 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Whoah. There’s a helluva rally on the first point of Sinner’s service game. Sinner looks to have hit a winner cross-court, after a lengthy exchange from the baseline, but Djokovic hunts it down and returns with interest. Sinner holds on for 15-0. But the Serb is striking the ball imperiously. Djokovic hits long – 30-0 – then Sinner flops a shot into the net from the baseline for 30-15. Sinner thumps a massive wide serve for 40-15 which Djokovic, somehow, gets a racket on, but Djokovic hauls him back to 40-30. A lovely drop shot by Sinner seals the game and he pumps his fist, relieved to have avoided a deuce battle with his tenacious opponent.

*Sinner 0-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

A solid first serve down the middle sets up Djokovic to win the first point of the match. Then an ace, and it’s quickly 30-0, and another ace shaped out wide for 40-0. Sinner manages to get into a rally on second serve at 40-0, but is never really in the point, and that’s a very strong hold for Djokovic to kick things off.

“ I don’t think this is going to be a straight-sets match, I think this is going the distance,” says Greg Rusedski. “Today’s going to be a lot about belief. How much does Jannik Sinner really believe he can beat Novak Djokovic ?”

“ For me, I just think Djokovic is going to be a different animal,” says Tim Henman, court-side for Amazon Prime. “I think he’s going to find that way to play a little bit better and get across the line.”

Henman adds he thinks it’ll be Djokovic in straight sets, and Hantuchova agrees.

Sinner’s out on court first , bouncing up and down on his toes, shaking hands with the officials, all that jazz. Djokovic soon joins him. The Serb wins the toss and elects to serve first. Time for a quick photo and we are ready to go.

Here come the players. The young Italian, ranked No 4, is out first.

Are you a Sinner, or are you a winner? Maybe he can be both.

And now here’s Djokovic, walking out to suitably dramatic music.

Here we go, then. Well nearly. The Amazon Prime coverage has fired up, and the pundits are having a chat. “If he stays injury free, he should be lifting a grand slam next year,” says Daniela Hantuchova of Sinner’s progress.

My prediction is that this will definitely go to three sets.

In doubles news , Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury retained their ATP Finals title earlier on, beating Marcel Granollers and Marc Ceballos 6-3, 6-4 in the final.

TITLE DEFENDED 🏆🛡️ @RajeevRam & @joesalisbury92 are the best of the best in Turin, powering past Granollers/Zeballos 6-3, 6-4! #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/1dtsdVa04s — ATP Tour (@atptour) November 19, 2023

Andy Murray has been forced to withdraw from the Davis Cup and end his season after suffering a shoulder injury in training. He had been training at the National Tennis Centre this week and preparing for the final event of the year when he suffered the injury. Great Britain face Serbia on Thursday in Málaga at the Final 8 knockout stage of the Davis Cup finals.

Forget the tennis. A much bigger match will take place in Wimbledon next week as the All England Lawn Tennis Club takes on another local council over its plan to build an 8,000-seat stadium on a Grade II*-listed park .

The AELTC will on Tuesday night attempt to convince Wandsworth’s planning committee to vote through its proposal to build the 10-storey show court and 38 other grass courts on Wimbledon Park. Campaigners have described the proposals as an “industrial tennis complex”.

“ I predict Sinner to win ,” emails Abdul. “He has the momentum.”

After losing the semi-final, Medvedev predicted that Sinner – if he keeps up this form – will become world No 1 and win multiple grand slams. So perhaps Medvedev would agree with you, Abdul.

Then again, it’s Djokovic isn’t it? I didn’t see the semi-finals but it sounds like he fairly blew Alcaraz off the court.

For me, a tough one to call, but a match that both players will want to win. More searing insight coming up soon.

Will Sinner repeat the feat of earlier in the week and beat Djokovic a second time? Or will the Serb grind his precocious opponent into the dust? You can email me with your predictions.

This final, by the way, is best of three sets, just like all the other matches in the tournament.

Djokovic, it is fair to say , was not a happy customer on Thursday afternoon after he beat the alternate, Hubert Hurkacz, in three sets. The dropped set meant that qualification was put out of his hands and he proceeded to give some distinctly snippy post-match interviews. But it turned out all right when Rune was defeated by Sinner later that night.

The tale of the tape : Djokovic leads Sinner 3-1 in their head-to-head.

Djokovic won at the Monte Carlo Masters in 2021, in two sets, then at Wimbledon in 2022 and 2023. The quarter-final in 2022 was a five-setter when Djokovic hit back from two sets down in typically tenacious style. The semi-final this year was in straight sets.

But Sinner, of course, had Djokovic’s number earlier this week, which is what makes today’s match so fascinating.

Australia have just beaten India by six wickets to win the ODI Cricket World Cup!

Novak Djokovic has today’s opponent, Jannik Sinner, to thank for the fact he’s still here. Following the Serb’s group stage defeat by the Italian , Djokovic would have been eliminated had Holger Rune beaten Sinner on Thursday night.

As things turned out the home favourite won in three, which meant Djokovic joined him, Daniil Medvedev and Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals of this season-closing event in northern Italy. Djokovic blew away Alcaraz (the man who beat him in an epic Wimbledon final ) while the Russian, Medvedev, was dispatched by the increasingly confident Sinner.

Which brings us to today’s final. Djokovic already has the Australian Open, French Open and US Open in the trophy cabinet this year. Can the world No 4 find a way past the irrepressible Serb and prompt a smattering of erroneous ‘changing of the guard’ headlines? We’re about to find out.

Match start: 5pm UK time

• Novak Djokovic

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EVES Open World Tennis Tour: Tauranga 2023

Eves open world tennis tour: tauranga is back.

Venture Developments WBOP Tennis Centre, Papamoa, 17-23 December 2023

The EVES Open – ITF World Tennis Tour: Tauranga is a professional event for men and women with official ATP and WTA world ranking points up for grabs, as well as a total prize pool of $70,000.

The event will see rising stars from around the world take on our own top Kiwi talent, with the aim of climbing the ladder of the professional tennis circuit. Tennis at this level is exciting to behold up close and this is a very special opportunity for Tauranga community to catch it in their own backyard! 

- Venture Developments WBOP Tennis Centre, Gordon Spratt Reserve, Parton Rd, Papamoa

- Daily from 11am, 17-23 December 2023

- 32 Player Singles Draw and 16 Pair Doubles Draw,  Knock Out Competition for Men & Women

- General admission is FREE , Courtside Hospitality also available (see below)

Courtside Hospitality

Grab your chance to see world class action from the best seats in the house at one of our exclusive courtside hospitality tables.

We’ve teamed up with two of Tauranga’s hottest food and beverage establishments to bring you the perfect way to celebrate summer with friends, with great local food and drinks, classic Papamoa summer vibes and electric tennis action right in front of your eyes!

Tables will include:

- Courtside seating 8 for people, just metres from the court

- Guaranteed two matches min per day, approx. 4 hours of entertainment

- Two course sharing style menu for 8 people include cheese platters and hot options

- Complementary drink per person on arrival courtesy of  Mount Brewing Co

- Table service throughout the course of play

-Music, MC and entertainment during breaks in play

- Price: $500, table numbers are strictly limited and will sell quickly (register your interest for a table in the form below).

Availability

Tables will be available from 2:30pm daily   from Wednesday 20th- Friday 22nd  December,  play is expected to finish by 7:30pm.

On Finals Day Saturday 23 December , tables will be available from 10:30am, with  play commencing 11am and likely finishing approx. 3pm. 

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Please complete the following form if you would like to purchase a courtside table. We will be in touch shortly with all of the details.  

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Madrid 2023: Dates, draws, prize money and everything you need to know

Jimmie48/WTA

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The Hologic WTA Tour heads to the Spanish capital next week for the Mutua Madrid Open, the first WTA 1000 event of the clay-court season. This year's event features a bigger field and an expanded format that includes seven rounds of singles action over 13 days. 

Here's what you need to know about the 13th edition of Madrid: 

When does the tournament start?

The Mutua Madrid Open is a WTA 1000 event held on outdoor red clay at the Caja Magica. This year the tournament has been expanded from a 64-player singles draw to a 96-player draw. As a result, an unseeded player will need to win seven matches to win the title. The doubles draw has expanded from 30 teams to 32. 

While the 2022 edition was played over 10 days, this year's Madrid is bigger and better than ever. The tournament will be played over 13 days and is followed by the second WTA 1000 of the clay swing in Rome, which also features an expanded field and two-week format. The back-to-back WTA 1000 tournaments are the biggest clay-court events leading into the second major of the season at Roland Garros. 

Main-draw play in Madrid begins on Tuesday, April 25. The tournament will use the Dunlop Fort Clay Court ball. 

Champions Reel: How Ons Jabeur won Madrid 2022

When are the finals .

The singles final will be played on Saturday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m.

The doubles final will be played on Sunday, May 7 at 3:30 p.m.

Who are the Top 16 seeds?

Seeding is based on the Hologic WTA Tour rankings on Monday, April 17. 

Projected seeds:

1. Iga Swiatek 2. Aryna Sabalenka 3. Jessica Pegula 4. Ons Jabeur (withdrew on Monday) 5. Caroline Garcia 6. Coco Gauff 7. Elena Rybakina 8. Daria Kasatkina 9. Maria Sakkari 10. Petra Kvitova 11. Barbora Krejcikova 12. Veronika Kudermetova 13. Beatriz Haddad Maia 14. Liudmila Samsonova 15. Victoria Azarenka 16. Ekaterina Alexandrova

After the draw was made, defending champion and No.4 seed Ons Jabeur withdrew from the event on Monday due to a left calf injury. Jabeur saw her seven-match win streak come to an end when injury forced her to retire after three games to Swiatek in the Stuttgart semifinals.

Before the draw was made, World No.11 Belinda Bencic withdrew from Madrid and Rome due to hip injury. Karolina Pliskova, who was projected to be seeded No.16, withdrew due to knee injury. 

WTA/Jimmie48

Who were last year's champions?

Ons Jabeur won the biggest title of her career last year in Madrid, defeating Jessica Pegula 7-5, 0-6, 6-2.

In doubles, Gabriela Dabrowski and Giuliana Olmos defeated Desirae Krawczyk and Demi Schuurs 7–6(1), 5–7, [10–7] to take home the 2022 title. 

What does the draw look like?

Main draw @MutuaMadridOpen , where Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, and Ons Jabeur are the top seeds. pic.twitter.com/lwp6fWUdmm — WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) April 23, 2023

Shelby Rogers will take Jabeur's place in the main draw as the No.33 seed. Rogers' previous position will be filled by a qualifier or lucky loser.

For a full analysis of the Madrid draw, click here . 

What is the prize money and ranking points on offer?

First Round: €16,340/10 points Second Round: €27,045/35 points Third Round: €48,835/65 points Fourth Round: €84,900/120 points Quarterfinals: €161,525/215 points Semifinals: €308,790/390 points Finalist: €580,000/650 points Champion: €1,105,265/1000 points

Key storylines

Swiatek returns to Madrid: In the midst of her 37-match, six-title winning streak last spring, the World No.1 opted out of Madrid to take a well-earned breather. As a result, for the first time since February she has no points to defend. After taking a 45-day break after Indian Wells to heal a rib injury, Swiatek picked up right where she left in her return to Stuttgart, defeating No.2 Aryna Sabalenka to successfully defend her title. 

Madrid remains the one big European clay event that Swiatek has yet to win. She has only played it once, in 2021, and made the Round of 16 in her debut. She lost to then-No.1 Ashleigh Barty. 

The Top 3 are looking sharp: Along with Swiatek, No.2 Sabalenka, No.3 Pegula all look primed for a deep run in Madrid. Sabalenka is a former champion and already leads the tour with four finals this season, having made a third straight final in Stuttgart. Pegula made her mark at the WTA 1000-level last year by making the final. Pegula already started her clay season in Charleston, where she made the semifinals.

Injury concerns for Rybakina and Kvitova: Indian Wells champion Rybakina and Miami champion Kvitova were forced out of Stuttgart with injuries.

Coming off a weekend in Kazakhstan for the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers, Rybakina was forced to retire in her second match in Stuttgart due to a lower back injury.

Kvitova was unable to take the court at all, withdrawing ahead of the tournament citing a foot injury. The Czech is a three-time champion in Madrid, most recently taking the title in 2018. If she is fit to play, Madrid will be her 100th appearance at a WTA 1000 tournament. 

One to watch: Anastasia Potapova has been causing consistent problems for the Top 10. The 22-year-old has beaten Gauff in back-to-back tournaments in Miami and Stuttgart and had Pegula on the ropes twice in Indian Wells and Miami. She then knocked off Garcia in Stuttgart to advance to the biggest semifinal of her career. 

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New DP World Tour CEO Confirms Rahm and Hatton's Ryder Cup Eligibility

“If you look at eligibility criteria for 2023, then I think there has been a slight misconception,” Kinnings said.

Fans of the European Ryder Cup team can be happy, considering the statements made by DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings regarding the selection of Ryder Cup players and the possibility for some individuals to compete in 2025 at Bethpage. Kinnings spoke to the media about eligibility criteria, aiming to resolve any uncertainties for individuals regarding the next Ryder Cup. He emphasized that an individual who is part of the DP World Tour and also competes in LIV Golf will have the opportunity to play, with, of course, consequences.

“If you look at eligibility criteria for 2023, then I think there has been a slight misconception,” Kinnings told BBC .

“The reality is, under the current rules, if a player is European, a member of the DP World Tour and abides by the rules - if you don’t get a release there are sanctions and you take those penalties - there is no reason why players who have taken LIV membership could not qualify or be available for selection.”

Individuals who compete in LIV Golf will have to be fined by the DP World Tour if they remain members of the European Tour. Kinnings emphasized that suspensions will continue and they have no intention of changing the current rules. After analyzing individuals, if Rahm and Hatton remain in the same position as before, they will have the chance to compete in the Ryder Cup.

It's interesting that both golfers will have to compete in four DP World Tour events to maintain their membership status. If they fail to do so, they will face a substantial fine. Rahm and Hatton will receive a one-tournament ban for participating in LIV Golf Adelaide. It's intriguing that the suspension could potentially occur at an event where they may not even intend to play. Kinnings believes that this isn't a loophole in the rules.

Kinnings clarified that the situation isn't a loophole but rather a matter of implementing longstanding rules. He emphasized that these rules have been in place for some time and have undergone thorough testing. The rules are applied uniformly to all members of the tour, underscoring the importance of understanding how they apply to each individual member.

Luke Donald has every reason to be pleased with this turn of events, knowing that this duo will be a huge boost for his team. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton are two golfers that any team would desire. They showcased their qualities at last year's Ryder Cup. The captain of the European team has expressed that this duo would be incredibly valuable, and he expects the situation to remain the same in the future.

Right after leaving the PGA Tour and interviewing LIV Golf, Jon Rahm talked about his appearance at the Ryder Cup in 2025. The Spaniard pointed out that his great desire is to perform there and help the team. The Spaniard also admitted that he is worried about the situation, aware that the rules change from day to day, and that he will potentially not be able to perform at the Ryder Cup.

“Am I concerned? Yeah, I hope I can be there,” Rahm said. “I hope I play well enough to earn my way there. And if I have to be picked, I hope I can get picked. I want to be there. That’s definitely something I want to do and I don’t want to miss.”

Rory McIlroy's stance on Jon Rahm

Rory McIlroy is one of those who has changed his stance towards LIV Golfers, primarily Jon Rahm. McIlroy and the 29-year-old Spaniard have had a great relationship for a long time. Despite being strongly against LIV Golf initially, McIlroy has gradually changed his views, now open to the idea of LIV Golfers returning to the PGA Tour.

McIlroy elaborated to Sky Sports, stating that Jon Rahm's inclusion in Bethpage in 2025 will necessitate a revision of the European Tour's Ryder Cup eligibility rules due to this decision. He expressed his desire to have Rahm on the next Ryder Cup team, acknowledging his talent, determination, and positive contribution as a teammate. McIlroy gave the respect for Rahm's decision, admitting that individuals make choices based on what they believe is best for their career.

The upcoming Ryder Cup could bring plenty of excitement. The US team aims to disrupt the plans of the European team this year and capitalize on home-field advantage. Despite suffering defeat in Rome last year, the US team will be the favorites. The Europeans aim to replicate their previous success, aware that it will be a challenging task.