Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Spain's Carlos Alcaraz is set to be the star attraction at this year's Madrid Open
ByJonathan JurejkoBBC Sport tennis news reporter- Published58 minutes ago
Real Madrid's Bernabeu stadium will swap grass for clay when it hosts the world's biggest tennis stars during next month's Madrid Open.
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.
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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.
The venue, which is about five miles south of central Madrid, has three main show courts, 11 outside courts and five indoor courts, but there remains a lack of practice facilities.
In recent years, several other private venues around the city have been used by players to ease the court congestion.
For Real Madrid, it marks another opportunity to showcase how their futuristic £1.5bn stadium is capable of hosting other sports.
The grass football pitch can be divided into six segments, mechanically sliding away and sunk underground into a greenhouse-style storage area.
Madrid president Florentino Perez, often seen watching tennis at the Caja Magica, has long harboured hopes of bringing the sport to the Bernabeu, most notably in 2019 when he proposed hosting an exhibition match between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
The stadium is also set to host an NFL game later this year.
American pop superstar Taylor Swift performed twice at the venue in 2024 but after it sparked a row with local residents over noise pollution, no music events have been held since.
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- Published16 August 2025
