Find Out: The drastic reduction in the prize money at Madrid Open


Find Out: The drastic reduction in the prize money at Madrid Open

ATP Tour & WTA Tour logos

WTA Madrid Open will commence from April 29, whereas Madrid Masters will commence from next week. This will be the second Masters tournament on clay courts as far the men’s circuit is concerned. It will be the first 1000 event on clay on the WTA Tour.

ADVERTISEMENT

Novak Djokovic is the defending champion at the Madrid Masters, after he won the title in 2019. However, he has decided to withdraw from the tournament in his latest announcement. Kiki Bertens won the Madrid Open in 2019, defeating Simona Halep in the final.

There have been several concerns regarding the ATP-WTA’s decision to reduce the prize money at tournaments, owing to the covid-19 pandemic. Most of the tournaments are being played behind closed doors, or with a limited crowd capacity, which has impacted the finances of the governing bodies.

Prize money slashed at Madrid Open

The winner of the Madrid Open will take home €315,000, which is a 73% reduction compared to the prize money, the winner received in 2019. Two years ago, the winner took home a sum of €1.2 million.

ADVERTISEMENT

Several players have criticized ATP/WTA’s move of slashing the prize money at major events. However, top players are expected to be a part of the Madrid Open, despite the financial constraints. Rafael Nadal headlines the field in Madrid, as he enters as the top seed, after Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal.

On the women’s side, the likes of Ashleigh Barty, Simona Halep and Naomi Osaka, are all part of the event. Osaka makes her return to tennis after her Miami Open 2021 loss to Maria Sakkari in the quarterfinals.

Also Read: WTA Madrid Open 2021: Women’s Singles Draw Preview, Analysis and Prediction