The European segment of the BWF World Tour is currently in full throttle, with the spotlight shining on Madrid this week. While some of the top-tier badminton players graced the courts in Madrid, a notable number chose to sit out of the ongoing tournament. Nevertheless, it’s essential not to underestimate the significance of the Spain Masters 2024, both in terms of its stature as a prominent badminton event and its substantial prize money offerings.
First introduced in 2018, the Spain Masters is now celebrating its sixth edition this year. Officially titled the Madrid Spain Masters 2024 Iberdrola due to sponsorship affiliations, this tournament is meticulously organized by the Spanish Badminton Federation, bearing the official sanction of the Badminton World Federation (BWF). Mirroring the caliber of competitions like the recently concluded Swiss Open, the Spain Masters holds the esteemed status of being a BWF World Tour Super 300 event.
Over its history, the Spain Masters has found its home in three different cities: Barcelona (2018 to 2020), Huelva (2021), and presently, Madrid (2023 onwards). The 2022 edition was regrettably called off amid the global upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In its inaugural year back in 2018, Rasmus Gemke from Denmark clinched the men’s singles title, while Minatsu Mitani of Japan triumphed in the women’s singles category. Presently, the reigning champions in these respective divisions are Kenta Nishimoto from Japan and Indonesia’s Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, adding further prestige to their achievements on the Spain Masters stage.