Madrid is known for its innovations: the venue that hosts the event, La Caja Mágica (The Magic Box), which was also unveiled in 2009, has an unprecedented three courts with roofs.

In 2010, Aravane Rezai made headlines with her fairytale run to the Madrid title.

Rezai upset former No.1 Justine Henin in the first round, then powered past the likes of Andrea Petkovic, Jelena Jankovic and Lucie Safarova before beating Venus Williams in the final.

2011 was a banner year for Kvitova: at Madrid she lifted what was by then her third title of the year, and her first ever Premier Mandatory.

Kvitova would go on close out the 2011 season as the champion of Wimbledon and the WTA Finals.

Serena Williams won Madrid’s first – and so far, only – staging on blue clay in 2012.

In 2013 she became the first person to defend her Madrid title, and was joined by a special furry friend for the trophy ceremony.

Actually, the World No.1 was joined by several new friends!

Maria Sharapova won the Madrid title in 2014, one step on her road back from injury. A few weeks later she went on to win her second Roland Garros title.

2014 was an emotional year for the Russians in Madrid. Dinara Safina (left) – who presented the trophy to Sharapova – announced her official retirement from tennis at the Mutua Madrid Open.

Petra Kvitova won her second Madrid title in 2015 – can she defend her title and become Madrid’s first three-time champion?