Britain’s Jack Draper will miss the French Open and the remainder of the clay-court season due to an ongoing right knee tendon injury.
The 24-year-old hopes to return for the grass-court swing in June but faces a significant drop in the world rankings.
The former British number one retired from his only clay-court match of the season in Barcelona earlier this month.
He subsequently withdrew from back-to-back ATP 1000 tournaments in Madrid and Rome before confirming his absence from Roland Garros.
Cautious approach to Grand Slam return
“My knee is on the mend and I’ve started back hitting balls but unfortunately I have been advised not to play Roland Garros.”
“As gutting as it is to miss another Slam, the advice is not to rush straight back into playing five-set tennis on clay.”
The tournament in Spain was just the fourth event of the 2024 US Open semi-finalist’s comeback from bone bruising in his serving arm.
That severe arm issue had sidelined the left-hander for most of the period since last year’s Wimbledon.
“Off the back of the arm injury, I’ve been restricted with my training and by giving myself the time to heal and build, I can be the player I want to be out there once again.”
Ranking drop and grass-court targets
Currently ranked 28th in the world, the Indian Wells champion will fall to around 50th following the conclusion of the Madrid Open.
This sharp decline is a result of losing 650 ranking points from his runner-up finish in the Spanish capital last year.
He will also be unable to recoup the points earned during strong runs at last year’s Italian Open and Roland Garros.
If fully fit, the rising star could begin his grass-court season at the Stuttgart Open on 8 June before heading home to Queen’s Club.
Consequently, he now has virtually no chance of being seeded for Wimbledon and will likely face a tough early draw at the All England Club.
Promising season disrupted by physical setbacks
The British talent enjoyed a brilliant start to 2025, claiming his maiden Masters 1000 title in California and peaking at fourth in the world.
During that impressive run at Indian Wells, he secured a statement victory over 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic.
However, his promising early career has been continually frustrated by a series of shoulder, hip, and arm injuries.
Establishing long-term fitness will now be the primary concern as he aims to challenge top-tier rivals like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz over the coming decade.
Anastasia Potapova has become the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1000 semi-final after defeating former world number one Karolina Pliskova at the Madrid Open.
The Russian-born Austrian secured a dramatic 6-1 6-7 (7-4) 6-3 victory to continue her stunning run in the Spanish capital.
She had initially lost in qualifying last week before receiving a main draw place following a late withdrawal.
Her remarkable progression in Madrid has already featured impressive wins over former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and world number two Elena Rybakina.
“No, I wouldn’t, for any money and anything.”
Potapova said when asked if she thought a semi-final appearance was possible after her initial qualifying loss.
“That’s what makes our sport beautiful. I was given a second chance and now I’m here. I’m super happy. There’s nothing better that could happen to me in my life at the moment.”
Pliskova fights back before Potapova triumphs
The 25-year-old initially looked poised for a comfortable win after storming through the opening set in just 24 minutes.
She then secured three match points in the second set before Pliskova rallied to force a tie-break.
The experienced Czech levelled the match and surged into a 3-1 lead in the deciding set.
However, the lucky loser responded brilliantly by reeling off five consecutive games to rescue the tie.
She sealed the historic victory with her 10th ace of the contest before collapsing to her knees in celebration.
A semi-final clash against either Marta Kostyuk or Linda Noskova now awaits.
Sinner extends remarkable winning streak
In the men’s draw, world number one Jannik Sinner reached the Madrid semi-finals for the first time in his career.
The Italian extended his unbeaten run to 21 matches with a 6-2 7-6 (7-0) victory over Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar.
He is now bidding for a fifth consecutive ATP Masters 1000 title following recent triumphs in Paris, Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte Carlo.
The four-time Grand Slam champion was forced to work hard against the 19-year-old home favourite in a match lasting just under two hours.
“Tough challenge, I knew before the match that he was going to be very tough to beat, especially here.”
Sinner told Sky Sports after the hard-fought victory.
“He’s from here and he knows exactly how to play in these conditions. I’ve got a little bit more experience and in the second set got a little bit lucky at times with a couple of lines and net.”
Top seed survives second-set scare
The top seed quickly took control of the opening set, saving an early break point before winning five straight games.
Jodar created break point opportunities of his own at 3-2 and 4-3 in the second set, but the Italian held firm under mounting pressure.
The Madrid-born teenager showcased his potential by saving three break points to hold serve and eventually force a tie-break.
However, Sinner demonstrated his elite pedigree by delivering a masterclass in the breaker, winning it without dropping a single point.
World number one Jannik Sinner has advanced to the quarter-finals of the Mutua Madrid Open after recording a routine straight-sets victory over Britain’s Cam Norrie.
The top-ranked Italian secured a 6-2 7-5 win in the Spanish capital to continue his impressive run of form.
A rather untidy opening 35-minute set saw both men struggle for rhythm, producing more unforced errors than outright winners.
However, the reigning Wimbledon champion managed to break his opponent twice to firmly take control of the contest.
Norrie shows second-set resilience
The British number one offered much stiffer resistance as the match progressed.
Breaking back and holding his own serve, the resilient left-hander managed to establish a slender 4-3 advantage.
Ultimately, the sheer quality of the world’s best player proved decisive when it mattered most.
Sinner executed a crucial break of serve at 5-5 before confidently serving out the match to seal his spot in the final eight.
Quest for a ninth Masters crown
The top seed will next face either Czech player Vit Kiprova or 19-year-old local prospect Rafael Jodar.
Sinner is currently bidding to capture his very first Madrid Open trophy, which would represent his ninth title at ATP 1000 level.
Despite the defeat, Norrie’s positive run to the last 16 ensures he will return to the world’s top 20 for the first time since 2024.
Adapting to the Madrid clay
Following his victory, the Italian acknowledged the unique challenges posed by the high-altitude conditions.
“We both knew what to expect from each other. I felt like I was serving quite well today through a lot of moments.”
“This surface is very different to other surfaces. It’s tough to get the right feedback – sometimes from the outside it looks like you’re playing your best, but other times it doesn’t feel like you are.”
“But I’m happy to be into the quarter-finals – it’s a tournament I haven’t played a lot, so I’m really happy.”
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the upcoming French Open in Paris after sustaining a wrist injury, raising concerns over the current depth of men’s tennis.
The 21-year-old Spaniard will be absent from a Grand Slam tournament for the first time since the 2023 Australian Open.
His withdrawal leaves a significant void at Roland Garros, where his electrifying presence and dramatic shot-making have frequently captivated Parisian crowds.
The four-time major winner recently made history by becoming the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam.
Rivalry void exposed
Without the charismatic talent, the tournament highlights a growing reliance on his thrilling rivalry with Italian star Jannik Sinner.
The pair previously contested a mind-bending five-set final on the Parisian clay, an encounter widely regarded as one of the greatest matches in modern tennis history.
Sinner acknowledged the profound impact of his rival’s absence ahead of the clay-court major.
Tennis needs Carlos. Tennis is a much better sport when he’s around.
Jannik Sinner
Dominance creates predictability
The formidable duo have monopolised the sport’s biggest prizes in recent seasons, winning nine consecutive Grand Slam titles between them.
This absolute dominance has created an immense points gap at the top of the men’s game.
Third-ranked Alexander Zverev currently sits closer in ranking points to the world number 1001 than he does to the number one spot.
While veteran Novak Djokovic recently disrupted this duopoly with a stunning semi-final victory in Melbourne, early rounds of major tournaments have often lacked jeopardy.
The upcoming tournament in Paris will now serve as a stark test of the sport’s entertainment value without its most exciting young champion.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka has reached the Madrid Open quarter-finals after overcoming four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in a gruelling three-set thriller.
The Belarusian secured her 15th consecutive victory in the Spanish capital with a 6-7 (1-7) 6-3 6-2 triumph over the former world number one.
Sabalenka, a three-time champion at this tournament, will now face American 30th seed Hailey Baptiste in the last eight.
The top seed acknowledged the supreme quality of her opponent following the intense physical battle.
“That was an incredible level. She played really incredible tennis and I feel like I just got lucky with a couple of shots in the third set,” said Sabalenka.
Osaka shows signs of former brilliance
The Japanese star returned to professional tennis earlier this season following the birth of her daughter.
Her performance on the clay courts of Madrid suggests a rapid return to the elite echelons of the women’s game.
“She’s such an inspiration and coming back from pregnancy in a sport like tennis, it’s not easy,” Sabalenka added.
“She gives all of us hope that you can go and have a baby, come back, and still play that level of tennis.”
Former British player Naomi Broady praised the encounter, describing it as the standout match of the tournament so far.
Broady suggested that despite the defeat, the returning icon should draw immense confidence from pushing the current best player in the world to her absolute limits.
Baptiste survives marathon tie-break
Next up for the world number one is Baptiste, who survived a dramatic encounter against Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic.
The American stormed through the opening set before Bencic claimed an extraordinary 16-14 tie-break to force a decider.
However, the 30th seed regrouped to seal the final set 6-3 and secure her place in the quarter-finals.
Teenager Jodar thrills home crowd
In the men’s draw, home favourite Rafael Jodar defeated Joao Fonseca to reach the last 16.
The 19-year-old Spaniard overcame his Brazilian opponent 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 6-1 in a highly anticipated third-round clash.
Jodar becomes only the eighth teenager to reach this stage in Madrid tournament history, joining a prestigious list that includes compatriots Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal.
“Joao is always a very tough player, so these matches are decided by fine margins,” said Jodar.
Iga Swiatek has withdrawn from the Madrid Open in tears after requiring a courtside medical assessment during her third-round match against American Ann Li.
The Polish fourth seed was forced to retire while trailing 3-0 in the deciding set.
She had battled severe heat in the Spanish capital to brilliantly level the match at one set apiece.
The final scoreline stood at 6-7 (4-7) 6-2 0-3 when she concluded she could no longer safely continue.
Extreme heat halts progress
The 24-year-old was visibly distressed and sat courtside with her head buried in her hands.
A tournament medic quickly attended to the Wimbledon champion to meticulously monitor her temperature and vital signs.
Following the courtside medical evaluation, she made the difficult decision to abandon the contest.
The former French Open semi-finalist was pictured crying as she departed the Arantxa Sanchez Stadium.
Clay-court preparations suffer setback
This premature exit marks a significant blow to her preparations for the upcoming tournament at Roland Garros.
Her campaign on the red dirt has endured a rocky start following a recent quarter-final defeat to Mirra Andreeva in Stuttgart.
She had looked commanding in her opening match in Spain, smoothly dismantling Ukrainian Daria Snigur in straight sets.
Happy to be in the third round. It’s always such a pleasure to compete at the Madrid Open.
Iga Swiatek posted on social media shortly before her ill-fated clash with Li.
Concerns will now mount over her physical condition and tournament readiness as the highly anticipated French Open approaches.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz has confirmed he will miss next month’s French Open due to an ongoing wrist injury.
The Spaniard captured his maiden Roland Garros title last year after a spectacular campaign.
However, persistent physical issues have severely disrupted his preparation for the gruelling clay-court major.
Devastating blow for the reigning champion
The talented right-hander has been battling the debilitating wrist problem throughout the recent European clay swing.
Medical staff have evidently advised the multiple Grand Slam winner to rest in order to avoid long-term damage.
His sudden withdrawal dramatically alters the landscape of the men’s singles draw in Paris.
Reshaping the Parisian draw
This latest setback adds to a frustrating list of recent physical complaints for the young superstar.
The absence of the explosive baseliner immediately leaves the upcoming tournament wide open for his closest rivals.
Tournament organisers must now readjust the top seedings ahead of the highly anticipated fortnight at Roland Garros.
Real Madrid’s iconic Santiago Bernabeu stadium has been temporarily transformed into a clay tennis court for the Madrid Open, hosting a meeting between England midfielder Jude Bellingham and Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal.
The famous football arena has swapped its pristine green grass for the characteristic red dust of the ATP Tour.
This unique conversion coincides with the prestigious Masters 1000 tournament currently taking place in the Spanish capital.
A meeting of sporting royalty
The temporary installation provided the perfect backdrop for a high-profile sporting crossover.
England international Bellingham took the opportunity to meet the 22-time Grand Slam champion at his home stadium.
The 20-year-old footballer has enjoyed a sensational debut season in Spain, quickly becoming a fan favourite at the spectacular venue.
Meanwhile, the veteran tennis star is widely revered as the undisputed King of Clay and is notably a passionate supporter of the La Liga giants.
Engineering a multi-purpose arena
Real Madrid recently completed a massive renovation project on their historic ground.
This state-of-the-art redevelopment included a retractable pitch system designed specifically to host alternative events without damaging the football playing surface.
The engineering marvel allows the club to seamlessly transition between elite football matches and other major international exhibitions.
Bringing a genuine clay court into the stadium highlights the impressive, multi-functional capabilities of the modernised infrastructure.