The second clay-court Masters 1000 tournament of the season for ATP players starts next Wednesday in Madrid. Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz and 2021 US Open winner Daniil Medvedev are among the top players set to feature at the event. However, three players have decided to withdraw from the Madrid Open. This article names those who have withdrawn and then names their three replacements in the draw.
Three ATP Players Withdraw From Madrid Open
Andy Murray was the first player to withdraw from the Madrid Open. The three-time Grand Slam champion sustained an ankle injury during his narrow loss in Miami to Tomas Machac. Murray is back on the practice court and did not need to have surgery for the issue. But there is no current date for when he will start playing tournaments again.
Marin Cilic was the second player to withdraw from the event. The 2014 US Open champion has been hampered by injuries in recent years. He attempted to make a comeback at the start of the year. Unfortunately, Cilic has not competed since playing in Buenos Aires over two months ago, and it is not known when he will return.
Arthur Cazaux was the third player to withdraw from the Madrid Open. The Frenchman suffered a really nasty ankle injury in the first set of his Barcelona Open contest against Matteo Arnaldi. This led to him retiring from the match, and he may be sidelined for some time due to an injury like that.
Who Replaces Those Three Players In The Draw?
Pedro Cachin benefits from Murray’s withdrawal from the Madrid Open. The Argentine is a clay court specialist, but he has been in dreadful form, losing his last 13 matches. Last year’s Gstaad Open champion desperately needs to change his fortunes, and this gives him another opportunity to do that.
Botic van de Zandschulp is set to play at the tournament after Cilic’s decision to withdraw. The Dutchman was unable to repeat his previous successes in Munich a few days ago, where he had been the runner-up the previous two years. Van de Zandschulp lost out to Jan-Lennard Struff in the Round of 16. He will hope for more success in Spain.
Finally, Taro Daniel replaces Cazaux at the Madrid Open. He also reached the Round of 16 in Munich, exiting to Felix Auger-Aliassime. The Japanese player has had some good results on clay during his career and could be a tough draw in Madrid.
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch – USA TODAY Sports
