ATP 500 Barcelona Open announces first wildcards – Kei Nishikori and Stan Wawrinka leading the pack
ATP
The ATP 500 Barcelona Open announced its first wildcards, with 2-time champion Kei Nishikori leading the pack. The traditional clay-court tournament will celebrate its 72nd edition at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain, from April 14 to 20, 2025.
A few days ago, the entry list was confirmed, featuring 4 top-10 players and 12 players within the top-25; undoubtedly a star-studded draw for an ATP 500 tournament. With Carlos Alcaraz (No. 3) and defending champion Casper Ruud (No. 6) as the main title favorites, the announced wildcards are players of indisputable prestige.
The first wildcard goes to Japan's Kei Nishikori, former world No. 4 and 2014 Barcelona champion – defeating Santiago Giraldo and 2015 – overcoming Pablo Andujar. Nishikori ended a streak of 11 consecutive titles for local players, with Rafael Nadal leading the charge with 9 of those titles.
The second wildcard is for 3-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka, who continues to make appearances on tour at 39 years old. Although Wawrinka hasn’t had deep runs in such tournaments in recent times, the former French Open champion has pulled off more than one surprise, and as a wildcard, he will certainly be a player to watch out for in the draw.
The third wildcard goes to local player Pablo Carreno Busta, who continues his efforts to return after multiple injuries in recent seasons. The 33-year-old player lost in the 2022 final to Carlos Alcaraz and has a career-high ranking of world No. 10, as well as 7 titles to his name, including the 2022 Canadian Open Masters 1000.
This will be the first edition of the tournament since the retirement of Rafael Nadal, the greatest legend in Barcelona with an incredible 11 titles between 2005 and 2021. In the following years, Carlos Alcaraz won the title twice (2022 and 2023), and the current defending champion is Casper Ruud.
𝚆𝙸𝙻𝙳𝙲𝙰𝚁𝙳𝚂
— Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell (@bcnopenbs) March 21, 2025
🇨🇭 @stanwawrinka
🇪🇸 @pablocarreno91
🇯🇵 @keinishikori #BCNOpenBS pic.twitter.com/iZ9tovt452
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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