Aryna Sabalenka, a three-time champion at the Mutua Madrid Open, finally broke her clay‑court drought by defeating American rising star Peyton Stearns in her opening match of the season on the red dirt of Madrid. The win came on the heels of an impressive "Sunshine Double" – a back‑to‑back triumph at Indian Wells and Miami – that underscored her dominance on hard courts and set high expectations for her performance on the slower surface. After being honoured as the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year on Monday, Sabalenka took a three‑week hiatus from competition, a break that left many observers wondering whether the world No.1 would return in top form. While she appeared a touch rusty in the early stages of the match, she gradually found her rhythm and edged Stearns 7‑5, 6‑3.
"It was a tough match," Sabalenka told Sky Sports Tennis. "It was my first match on clay. She's an incredible player and I feel like this court suits her game really well. The more I was staying on the court the better I was feeling and I really hope in the next one I'll bring better tennis.
I'm just glad that when it matters I was bringing the best tennis." Former British No.1 Laura Robson offered her perspective on Sabalenka's performance, noting the high standards fans and commentators hold for the Belarusian. "We're expecting perfection most of the time from Sabalenka, considering how many match wins she has [24‑1 in 2026]. But then you have to take into account that she has had a bit of a break.
Throughout this season she is really picking and choosing which tournaments she wants to play," Robson said. She praised Sabalenka's composure against a player like Stearns, who possesses a heavy kick serve that can bounce high off the clay.
"After Miami, she wanted a few weeks off and then coming out here and playing at altitude against someone like Stearns, who does throw a lot at you and has the kick‑serve that really bounces up off the court at you, I felt like Sabalenka handled that really well. It wasn't her best performance but the good thing is she's still winning in straight sets. You feel the more she's building into these events, she's the favourite for a reason, so all things considered she looks pretty relaxed out there today." The match also featured a light‑hearted moment when Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who was seated in Sabalenka's players' box, was asked about his friendship with the tennis star. Sabalenka explained that Courtois had reached out to her last year about attending a Real Madrid match, but his plans changed when he spent time with her boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis.
"I just met him for the first time before the match. He's such a nice guy and great support," she said, highlighting the cross‑sport camaraderie that often develops at high‑profile events. Courtois later joined Rafael Nadal, Jannik Sinner and footballer Jude Bellingham for a photo shoot at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu stadium, which has been temporarily transformed into a world‑class clay court for the tournament.
The venue offers players a rare chance to train in a setting steeped in sporting history, blending football grandeur with tennis tradition. While Sabalenka was making headlines, the women's draw also saw dominant performances from other top players.
Iga Swiatek, the reigning champion, dispatched qualifier Daria Snigur with a swift 6‑1, 6‑2 victory in just 61 minutes, showcasing her relentless baseline game and powerful forehand. Swiatek, who learned Spanish in high school, quipped to the crowd, "Honestly I should've learned more," before greeting the audience with a cheerful, "Hola, como estas Madrid?" Swiatek also shared a personal anecdote about her admiration for Rafael Nadal.
Growing up as a devoted fan, she was thrilled to spend a training block at Nadal's academy in Mallorca, where she received advice from the 22‑time Grand Slam champion. Although Nadal does not hold an official coaching role, Swiatek said, "I don't know if he's watching or not, I know he's super busy, even more busy I think than when he played. We're not in constant touch but I know I can always ask him anything if I want, so this is really comforting and it also shows how good of a person he is." In another upset, Ukraine's Elina Svitolina suffered a surprising 6‑3, 6‑4 loss to Hungary's Anna Bondar, marking a historic moment for Hungarian tennis.
Bondar became the first Hungarian to defeat a top‑10 opponent since Timea Babos upset CoCo Vandeweghe at the 2018 Australian Open. Svitolina, who had reached the semifinals in Stuttgart the previous week, required a medical timeout for an ankle issue while trailing 3‑2 in the second set.
After the match, Bondar explained her confidence: "I knew I had to bring my A game, which I think I did today. I played against her three times last year, so I knew what to expect. I think the conditions fit my game here really well – I like to use my heavy forehand, so I think that was one of the keys today." Overall, the Madrid Open continues to deliver high‑quality tennis, with both the ATP and WTA tours offering fans a blend of established stars and emerging talent.
Viewers can follow live action on Sky Sports or stream via NOW and the Sky Sports app, which provides Sky Sports customers with over 50 percent more live sport this year at no additional cost. The tournament's unique setting, elite player field, and compelling storylines make it a must‑watch event for tennis enthusiasts worldwide.