Madrid Open 2022 Preview: The baton for the next gen up for stakes at the Madrid Masters!!

Madrid Open 2022: Preview

Winds might be changing in the tennis world as the so-called ‘big three’ are in the twilight of their careers. 

Novak Djokovic is the lone name standing from the 'Big 3' as he will take the court at the 2022 Madrid Open this week to claim his first Masters 1000 title of 2022. 

Neither Rafael Nadal, Daniil Medvedev, or Matteo Berrettini will be present for the tournament due to health and fitness issues while Roger Federer is yet again a long-term absentee.

Can Novak do the job?

The World No.1 has been struggling for various reasons this season, first due to off-field issues and then through fitness issues. This time though he will try to get the missing piece in the puzzle right and claim his first ATP Masters 1000 title of the year. 

Novak won the Paris Masters last year, which remains his last success on tour in the Masters 1000 event. The three-time champion will be poised to make an impression with the French Open lurking and try to win his fourth title in Madrid.

Rafa’s potential absence opens the door for other star names

2022 has so far proved to be a launching pad for some of the next generation’s star names; Taylor Fritz won the Indian Wells while Carlos Alcaraz won the triumphed at the Miami Masters. 

Stefanos Tsitsipas successfully defended the Monte Carlo Masters title to win the first Masters 1000 title on clay court. 

Alcaraz will be the fan’s favourite in absence of Rafael Nadal at the 2022 Madrid Open, as the five-time champion struggles with injury and will remain unavailable for the tournament.

Alexander Zverev looking for a third Madrid Open title

The German has enjoyed scintillating last 12 months since winning the Madrid Open last year. Following the Madrid win, the 25-year-old made it to the Roland Garros semis before losing. 

The success story also saw him win the Gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics while claiming his second Masters 1000 event of 2021 at the Cincinnati Masters. 

A win for Zverev will see him go level with Novak and Federer with three titles in Madrid, with only Rafael Nadal having won more.

Stefanos Tsitsipas with a spring in his step

Tsitsipas, 23, is having an amazing year so far, he won the Monte Carlo Masters 1000 and will be poised to add to his tally in Madrid. The Rolland Garros runners-up has been in fine form and is ready to take the next step with a Grandslam in his sight. 

Another masterclass performance in Madrid will be an idol platform for him to prepare for the French Open, which starts in May. The Greek star has all the necessary ingredients to cook a perfect recipe as he eyes his second Masters 1000 title in 2022 by winning the Madrid Open.

Home favourite Carlos Alcaraz continues to impress in 2022...

The Spaniard is considered the next big thing in the world of tennis and is ready to make a claim, having not put a foot wrong in 2022. 

So far the 18-year-old has been eye-catching with wins in Miami and Barcelona and will be the home favourite as Rafael Nadal is not playing. 

Another win in a big event will surely make a world’s difference to Alcaraz and will be ready for the upcoming French Open.

The outsiders at the 2022 Madrid Open

The next generation of tennis will certainly be making a big claim as the ‘big three’ domination s coming to an end; Taylor Fritz will be odds on favourite after the above-mentioned big names. 

Fritz won the Indian Wells earlier this year to stamp his claim while Casper Rudd and Andrey Rublev will also be in the hunt. Felix Augar-Aliassime has been making a name for himself in recent times and it won’t come as surprise if he lifts the trophy in a week’s time.

So with the French Open approaching, it now remains to be seen how will lift the lid and win the Madrid Open.

Sportco Prediction for the 2022 Madrid Open

Stefanos Tsitsipas to beat Carlos Alcaraz in the final

2022 Madrid Open Prize Money Breakdown

Winner - €1,041,570

Finalist - €568,790

Semi-finalist - €311,025

Quarter-finalist - €169,650

Round of 16 - €90,745

Round of 32 - €48,655