Madrid Open’s Reigning Kings: Nadal, Djokovic, and Federer

The Madrid Open, a prestigious event on the ATP Tour Masters 1000 calendar, has witnessed some of the greatest players in tennis history battle for supremacy on its courts. Among them, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer stand out as titans who have left an indelible mark on the tournament. Let’s delve into their respective records and rankings among the men with the most Madrid Open titles.

Rafael Nadal: The Undisputed King of Madrid

Rafael Nadal reigns supreme as the most successful player in the history of the Madrid Open, with a record-breaking 5 titles. His victories came in:

• 2005: Defeating Ivan Ljubičić in a thrilling five-set final (3–6, 2–6, 6–3, 6–4, 7–6(7–3)).
• 2010: Overcoming Roger Federer in the final (6–4, 7–6(7–5)).
• 2013: Triumphing over Stanislas Wawrinka in the final (6–2, 6–4).
• 2014: Winning against Kei Nishikori (2–6, 6–4, 3–0 ret.).
• 2017: Defeating Dominic Thiem in the final (7–6(10–8), 6–4).

Nadal’s dominance in Madrid is further highlighted by his reaching the final on three other occasions, solidifying his status as the “King of Clay” at this event.

Novak Djokovic: A Force to Be Reckoned With

Novak Djokovic holds the second position in the list of men with the most Madrid Open titles. He has won the title 3 times:

• 2011: Defeating Rafael Nadal in the final (7-5, 6-4).
• 2016: Defeating Andy Murray in the final (6-2, 3-6, 6-3).
• 2019: Defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final (6–3, 6–4).

Djokovic’s success in Madrid contributes to his impressive record of 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles, the most of any player in history.

Roger Federer: A Three-Time Champion on Multiple Surfaces

Roger Federer also boasts an impressive record at the Madrid Open, securing the title 3 times:

• 2006: Defeating Fernando González in the final (7-5, 6-1, 6-0).
• 2009: Defeating Rafael Nadal in the final (6-4, 6-4).
• 2012: Defeating Tomas Berdych in the final (3-6, 7-5, 7-5).

Federer holds a unique distinction of winning the Madrid Open on three different surfaces: hard court (2006), red clay (2009), and the controversial blue clay (2012).

Other Notable Champions

While Nadal, Djokovic, and Federer lead the way, several other players have tasted success at the Madrid Open:

• Carlos Alcaraz: 2 titles (2022, 2023)
• Andy Murray: 2 titles (2008, 2015)
• Alexander Zverev: 2 titles (2018, 2021)

A Tournament of Transformation

The Madrid Open has a rich history and has undergone significant transformations since its inception. Originally held as an indoor hard-court event, it transitioned to clay courts in 2009 and moved to its current location at the Caja Mágica. This change has further solidified Nadal’s dominance, given his expertise on clay.

Conclusion

Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer have consistently delivered memorable performances and etched their names in the tournament’s history. Their accomplishments underscore their status as three of the greatest players of all time, and their battles on the Madrid clay will continue to be celebrated by tennis fans for generations to come.