Madrid Open 2022: Date, draw, will Emma Raducanu play, how to watch & more

The Madrid Open is the next event up on the WTA calendar and a number of the world’s best players are set to be in action. 

It will be the 13th edition of the women’s event, which is classified as a WTA 1000 event –– the highest category of tournament aside from the four Grand Slams. 

Aryna Sabalenka is the reigning champion. The Belarusian beat the now-retired Ashleigh Barty in three sets last year. 

GiveMeSport Women runs through everything you need to know about the competition:

The official main draw starts on April 28th, with the final set to take place on May 8th. 

Qualifying has already begun, with Britain’s Harriet Dart and Heather Watson both in action.

Many see the Madrid Open as the biggest warm-up event prior to the French Open, which takes place next month. 

The competition was previously only a men’s tournament and was held at the Madrid Arena between 2002 and 2008. 

However, in 2009 it expanded to become a joint event and now takes place at the La Caja Mágica sports complex, also known as the ‘Magic Box.’

Designed by French architect Dominique Perrault, the stadium is made entirely from wood, glass and iron.

Yes, as of now, Emma Raducanu is scheduled to play in Madrid. 

The US Open champion reached the quarter-finals of the Stuttgart Open last week, but lost to eventual champion Iga Swiatek. 

Raducanu has since parted ways with her coach Torben Beltz and will now be trained provisionally by the LTA’s Head of Women’s Tennis, Iain Bates. 

Aside from Raducanu, the tournament will feature many top players, including world number one Swiatek. 

The Polish star has won four titles in a row and is on a 23 match winning streak at the moment. 

Spain’s Paula Badosa is seeded second while defending champion Sabalenka