Alcaraz, Rafa returning, Djokovic choosing not to

Rafael Nadal and top-ranked Novak Djokovic are also in the field as Carlos Alcaraz, who is returning from injury, looks to win the Madrid Open for the third time in a row this week.

Alcaraz, who missed Monte Carlo and Barcelona due to a right arm injury, will be making his European clay-court tournament debut.

Nadal is still making progress in his injury recovery. He is a record five-time winner in Madrid. Last week at the Barcelona Open, the 22-time Grand Slam winner fell to 10th-seeded Alex de Minaur in the second round.

For the second year running, Djokovic, the three-time winner, will not compete in Madrid.