The most important Spanish tennis event is upcoming, and local fans are excited to see the top tennis stars in the world gracing Madrid.
The 2024 Madrid Open, to run from April 23 to May 5, brings together the best of the best as they vie for tennis supremacy and a cash prize of almost $1 million for the top finisher.
Hometown hero Carlos Alcaraz will try to defend his title. He is gunning for a three-peat.
However, his status for the tournament is doubtful as he is still trying to be fully healthy.
"Today I trained with a little more intensity and things went quite well," Alcaraz said. "I don't want to say 100% that I'll play. With the sensations that I have right now, I'd be happy to play three or four matches."
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The 20-year-old sensation has a first-round bye as a second seed and will face the winner between Alexander Shevchenko and Arthur Rinderknech in the second round.
His major rival, Jannik Sinner, is the first seed.
Alcaraz will have to play six matches to defend his title, so he is very cautious about his health.
He also hopes to give his home country something to be proud of.
"Playing here is so special," he said.
"It's the tournament where a lot of family can come to watch my matches, a lot of friends as well, and for me it's really special to play in front of my home crowd as well."
Fans should keep their fingers crossed that Alcaraz will also be able to endure.
Rafael Nadal's status remains in question
Spanish great Rafael Nadal might also not be able to go all the way at the Madrid Open 2024, given his health status.
Nadal suffered an injury at the Barcelona Open and is racing to be there for what could be his farewell tournament in his hometown.
He is bothered by hip issues and did not have enough training time as the Barcelona Open concluded only last week.
Nadal, second in all-time Grand Slam wins, will compete in the first round against America's Darwin Blanch.
Novak Djokovic officially out
Djokovic said before that he wants one last showdown with Nadal, who will retire after this season.
It is a shame that Nadal will not be able to do that in front of his fellow Spaniards as Djokovic, to whom he comes second in most Grand Slam titles, is officially out of the competition.
The Serbian great is officially skipping the Madrid Open 2024 as he will prepare for his title defense at the French Open instead.
Andy Murray absent in Madrid
Another top player who won't be gracing the Madrid clay court is former world No. 1 Andy Murray.
He was the first to withdraw from the Spanish joust after suffering an ankle injury at the Miami Open held last March.
The English tennis star won the Madrid Open twice in his career.
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