Madrid Open 2024 Prediction and Betting Tips: Side with Sinner to claim the title in Spain

The European clay season continues with the latest 1000 Series event for both the ATP and WTA Tour, the Madrid Open, which starts at La Caja Magica next week.

While doubts linger over the fitness of two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz, the Spanish superstar is on the entry list for the ATP tournament, which begins in his nation's capital on Wednesday.

Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner and returning Rafael Nadal are all expected to join Alcaraz in the men's draw while the women's event, which begins on Tuesday, features all of the WTA Tour's top ten.

Fast conditions should suit Sinner

Alcaraz has dominated the last two editions of this tournament and his only defeat in three appearances came against the best clay-courter of them all when Nadal saw him off in an all-Spanish blockbuster in 2021.

He won the title the hard way the following season, beating Nadal, Djokovic and two-time winner Alexander Zverev, then he sauntered through an easier draw when successfully defending his crown a year ago.

However, Alcaraz has injury concerns after pulling out of the Barcelona Open and it could pay to take him on with world no.2 Jannik Sinner, who looks well suited to high-altitude conditions in Madrid.

Sinner is yet to shine in this event but he's playing better than ever ahead of a return to La Caja Magica, with his sole defeats this season coming at Indian Wells courtesy of Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitispas in Monte Carlo.

Sabalenka remains hard to stop in Spain

Iga Swiatek is always the one to beat in WTA clay tournaments but conditions in Madrid have proven to be her kryptonite as the prolific Pole has yet to add this trophy to her considerable collection.

Swiatek reached the final last season and she will doubtless have a chance again but the woman who defeated her in 2023, Aryna Sabalenka, could prove hard to stop in her bid for a third Madrid title.

Sabalenka relishes faster conditions, which allow her to overpower opponents, and she was a worthy winner against Swiatek 12 months ago.

The Belarusian has had to deal with personal tragedy off the court in recent weeks but her performance in Stuttgart suggests she's ready to compete for this title once again. She should put up a stout defence.

Rybakina ready to find her feet on clay

Like Sabalenka, 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina should find the Madrid clay to her liking and there's no reason why she can't add her name to an illustrious list of winners.

The big-serving Kazakhstani is not known for her clay prowess but she's won titles on the surface, most notably the Italian Open in Rome last season, and she also reached the quarter-finals of the 2021 French Open.

Rybakina's serve should be a potent weapon in the Spanish capital and she looks a title threat.