2025 Madrid Open Men’s Draw: Preview and Prediction featuring Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, and Andrey Rublev

The Madrid Open, the qualifying rounds of which started on April 21, is a two-week combined Men’s and Women’s tournament, the first of the season on the clay swing. The main draw of the Women’s event started on April 22, while those of the Men’s are scheduled to start on April 23.

Andrey Rublev will enter the tournament as the defending champion, beating Felix Auger-Aliassime last year to take home the title. The Madrid Open is the second clay-court Masters 1000 of the season following the Monte-Carlo Masters, and the Men’s final will be concluded on May 4.

Tournament Details

• Tournament: 2025 Madrid Open
• Date: April 23- May 4
• No. of Entrants: 96 (Singles)
• Venue: Caja Magica in Manzanares Park, San Fermin, Madrid
• Surface: Outdoor clay court
• Total Prize Money Pool: $9,269,049
• Defending Champion: Andrey Rublev

Top seeds at the 2025 Madrid Open

• Alexander Zverev
• Carlos Alcaraz
• Taylor Fritz
• Novak Djokovic
• Jack Draper
• Alex de Minaur
• Andrey Rublev
• Holger Rune
• Daniil Medvedev
• Lorenzo Musetti

First quarter

Alexander Zverev is once again projected to meet Ben Shelton, this time, in the quarterfinals. If they meet, then it will also be a rematch of the BMW Open final where Zverev ended his trophy drought by lifting the title.

Zverev is the winner of two Madrid Open titles (2018 and 2021). Jakub Mensik, Alexei Popyrin, and defending champion Andrey Rublev are also a part of this draw. Rublev could set up a clash with veteran Gael Monfils if the latter reaches the second round.

Quarterfinal prediction: Alexander Zverev vs. Ben Shelton

Second quarter

Taylor Fritz is the top seed in the draw. The American could meet two-time French Open finalist Casper Ruud in the fourth round.

The second half of this quarter features Daniil Medvedev, who is struggling not only to win titles but also his matches and is not a favorite to win the Madrid Open, given that he also hates playing on clay. But if he reaches the fourth round, he could set up a clash with 2025 Barcelona Open champion Holger Rune.

Quarterfinal prediction: Casper Ruud vs Holger Rune

Third quarter

Novak Djokovic will headline this quarter. The winner of three Madrid Open titles has signed up for the tournament for the first time in three years.

Djokovic could lock horns with Ugo Humbert or Frances Tiafoe in the fourth round. The seeded players in the first half of this quarter have 2025 Indian Wells champion Jack Draper, Matteo Berrettini, Karen Khachanov, and Tommy Paul.

Quarterfinal prediction: Novak Djokovic vs. Jack Draper

Fourth quarter

Carlos Alcaraz is the heavy favorite to reach the quarterfinals. He could meet Alex de Minaur, Stefanos Tsitsipas, or his 2025 Monte Carlo Masters final opponent Lorenzo Musetti in the last eight.

But before that, he may face Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round. Denis Shapovalov, Tomas Machac, and Jiri Lehecka are the other seeded players in this quarter.

Quarterfinal prediction: Carlos Alcaraz vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas

Semifinals

Alexander Zverev is one the best clay-court players at present and he is expected to emerge victorious against Shelton. Casper Ruud, although so far he didn’t have a decent campaign on the clay swing, is expected to make a deep run in the Spanish capital.

It’s tough to write off Novak Djokovic even though he soon will turn 38. If he reaches the final, he could set up a blockbuster semifinal clash with Carlos Alcaraz.

Semifinal prediction

• Alexander Zverev vs. Casper Ruud
• Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz

Final

The Madrid Open final could see a clash between two former champions. If Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev reach the final, then it will be their first meeting since their meeting in the round-robin stage of the 2024 ATP Finals, which Zverev won.

Zverev edges Alcaraz 6-5 in the head-to-head record. The match will also be their second Madrid Open final against each other after the 2022 season.

Final prediction: Alexander Zverev vs. Carlos Alcaraz
Winner prediction: Carlos Alcaraz