Super Tuesday at the Caja Mágica will see Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz come together, marking their first time playing in the same tournament since November 2022 in Paris-Bercy. Nadal, the five-time champion of the Madrid Masters 1000, will face off against Jiri Lehecka, while Alcaraz, the winner of the last two editions, will have a rest day before his next match. Nadal expressed his respect for Lehecka’s skills, acknowledging his powerful serve and hard shots from the baseline. However, Nadal will have to navigate the challenge of recovering within a short timeframe, as he plays in the night session. Despite this, Nadal remains positive and looks forward to watching a football match after his own game.

Nadal’s journey in the tournament has been marked by overcoming hurdles, as he faced a tough match against Pedro Cachín, ultimately triumphing in three hours and four minutes. Nadal sees this as a step forward in his preparation for Roland Garros. He acknowledges the progress he has made since being in Manacor, where he struggled physically and lost to academy juniors. However, Nadal also raises doubts about the challenge of playing two consecutive days, noting it as unfamiliar territory in his recovery process.

In his final year in Madrid, Nadal is determined to take to the court and perform in front of the audience, whom he has always praised as the best. He emphasizes the difference between this year and previous ones, knowing that his body is more unpredictable after a two-year hiatus from playing. The schedule for the day had initially been planned to allow Nadal and Alcaraz to watch a football match but was changed due to the length and intensity of Nadal’s match. Instead, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Bublik will open the day’s matches.