Aryna Sabalenka, a three‑time champion of the Mutua Madrid Open, finally broke her clay‑court drought this season by defeating American rising star Peyton Stearns. The win came after Sabalenka completed the coveted "Sunshine Double," clinching titles at Indian Wells and Miami earlier in the year. Fresh off being honoured as the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year on Monday, Sabalenka returned to competition after a three‑week hiatus.
Although she appeared a touch tentative at the outset, the world No.1 rallied to claim a 7‑5, 6‑3 triumph over Stearns. "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 weighed in on Sabalenka's performance, noting the high expectations placed on 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. 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 took place in a unique setting: the iconic Santiago Bernabéu stadium, usually home to Real Madrid football, had been transformed into a temporary clay court for the tournament.
The venue, perched at altitude, offered players a rare chance to train and compete amidst the historic atmosphere of one of sport's most revered arenas. Adding a touch of celebrity crossover, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was spotted in Sabalenka's player box.
When asked how the two connected, Sabalenka explained, "I was supposed to go to a Real Madrid game last year and he messaged if I was coming, but he spent time with my boyfriend [Georgios Frangulis]. I just met him for the first time before the match. He's such a nice guy and great support." Courtois later posed for photos with Rafael Nadal, Jannik Sinner and Jude Bellingham on the clay surface, underscoring the tournament's star‑studded appeal.
While Sabalenka was busy securing her win, the women's draw also featured a dominant display from 2024 Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek. Swiatek breezed through her opening round, defeating qualifier Daria Snigur 6‑1, 6‑2 in just 61 minutes, rattling off six consecutive games in the second set.
When asked to greet the Madrid crowd in Spanish—a language she studied in high school—Swiatek quipped, "Honestly I should've learned more. But hola, como estas Madrid?" Swiatek also shared a personal anecdote about her admiration for Rafael Nadal. Growing up a devoted fan, she recounted a training stint at Nadal's academy in Mallorca, where the 22‑time Grand Slam champion offered informal coaching tips. "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," she said. Elsewhere on the court, Ukraine's Elina Svitolina suffered a surprising loss to Hungary's Anna Bondar, falling 6‑3, 6‑4. Bondar celebrated the upset, noting her familiarity with Svitolina's game: "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." Bondar's victory marked a historic moment for Hungarian tennis, as she became the first player from her country to defeat a top‑10 opponent since Timea Babos upset CoCo Vandeweghe at the 2018 Australian Open.
Svitolina, who had reached the semi‑finals in Stuttgart the previous week, required a medical timeout for ankle treatment while trailing 3‑2 in the second set, ultimately unable to turn the tide. The Madrid Open continues to offer fans a blend of high‑stakes competition and unique experiences, from the transformed Bernabéu venue to cross‑sport celebrity appearances. For those unable to attend in person, matches are available live on Sky Sports, with streaming options through NOW and the Sky Sports app, providing subscribers with over 50 percent more live sport at no extra charge.