Back-up plan for Leylah Fernandez, Alexandra Eala after signing up for WTA 125 challenger during Madrid

For Leylah Fernandez, Alexandra Eala among others, there is a back-up plan that they have signed up to amid their foray at the Madrid Open with a WTA 125 tournament including both as high profile additions.

Officially named the Torneig Internacional de Tennis Femení Solgironès Open Catalunya Ciutat de La Bisbal, it will be staged between April 27 - May 3 which is typically the second week of the Madrid Open which is a WTA 1000.

But while both could feasibly be still in the tournament in Madrid, this is done as a bit of a back-up option. Wang Xinyu (No 34), Ann Li (No 37), Katerina Siniakova (No 42), Peyton Stearns (No 46) have also signed up to the tournament. They are among seven players currently in the top 50 in the WTA Rankings who feature on the Entry List.

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro also enters in her home country of Spain and it is often a tactic in order for big names to get in reps if they go out of the event. Fernandez did the same last year alongside Bianca Andreescu and Emma Navarro in the past and likely again given her ranking fall will do the same again when it comes to the next few months.

Wang is the two-time champion in La Bisbal winning in 2019 and 2022 but since those days it has received an uplift as it is no longer classified as an ITF event and instead is on the WTA 125 calendar.

Former World No.3 and two-time Grand Slam champion Barbara Krejcikova also competes while Mccartney Kessler (No 53), Beatriz Haddad Maia (No 70), Ajla Tomljanovic (No 75) and Eva Lys (No 76) are also involved.

The latter has had an higher ceiling in the most recent past but has been injured and in Charleston for instance she ended up playing but spurned a set lead somewhat shockingly against Katie Volynets and seemingly is wanting more from her season.ahead of Rome.

Albeit this Entry List is always subject to change. Many enter as a back-up option then don't play anyway or withdraw if they don't fancy it in the end. This though could open it up for even more bigger names to enter the fray later down the line.