Why the Bernabeu is hosting Madrid Open tennis stars
The iconic stadium will have a practice court installed during the combined ATP and WTA event, enabling players including Spanish men's world number one Carlos Alcaraz to tune up for one of the biggest tournaments outside the Grand Slams. Madrid Open organisers say the court will mirror the surfaces at the Caja Magica, which hosts the tournament between 20 April and 3 May. Players can practise at the Bernabeu between 23 and 30 April if they choose.
But the sessions will not be open to the public and the stadium will not be used for the tournament matches. "Bringing a clay court to one of the world's most iconic venues creates a unique meeting point between the tradition of tennis and the universal appeal of a stage that is constantly evolving to continue surprising with new experiences," said the Madrid Open. Real Madrid do not have any home fixtures planned during the week when their newly-renovated stadium will be transformed for tennis.
The 15-time European Cup winners might play in the Champions League quarter-finals on 28 or 29 April if they beat Bayern Munich in the last eight, but already know they will play away from home in the first leg if they go on to face Liverpool or Paris St-Germain. Can Real Madrid's 'futuristic' Bernabeu keep them at the top? Using the global recognition of Real Madrid and the Bernabeu is the latest marketing strategy used by the Madrid Open to increase its visibility.
Among its tactics in recent years has been changing the clay surface to an eye-catching blue, using fashion models instead of ball kids and holding the tournament virtually - with players competing on a games console - during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. "We've always been pioneers," said tournament director Feliciano Lopez. "We've always been a very innovative and technological tournament.
And in that regard we've always been the ones to take the biggest risks, always with the intention of doing something new and surprising people. " But the move to the Bernabeu is not solely a glamorous photo opportunity. The tournament's expansion to 96-player singles draws played over a fortnight, along with the doubles events, means it has quickly outgrown the Caja Magica.