Aryna Sabalenka, a three‑time champion at the Mutua Madrid Open, finally broke her clay‑court drought this season by defeating American rising star Peyton Stearns in her opening match at the tournament. The victory came on the heels of Sabalenka completing the coveted "Sunshine Double" earlier in the year, a feat that sees a player win back‑to‑back titles at Indian Wells and Miami.
After a three‑week hiatus from competition, during which she was honoured as the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year, the world No.1 stepped onto the red clay of Madrid with a noticeable hint of rust. Nonetheless, she managed to outlast Stearns in straight sets, 7‑5, 6‑3, showcasing the resilience and power that have become hallmarks of her game. "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," Robson said.
She added that after a brief rest following Miami, Sabalenka faced the challenge of altitude in Madrid and the aggressive style of Stearns, who relies on a heavy kick serve. "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, "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 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 clay training arena for the tournament. The venue provides a rare opportunity for players to practice on a surface steeped in football history while preparing for high‑stakes competition.
Elsewhere in the Madrid WTA 1000 event, 2024 Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek continued her dominant form, dispatching qualifier Daria Snigur 6‑1, 6‑2 in just 61 minutes. Swiatek, who learned Spanish in high school, greeted the crowd with a playful attempt at the language, saying, "Honestly I should've learned more," before adding, "Hola, como estas Madrid?" A lifelong admirer of Rafael Nadal, Swiatek recalled a recent training stint at his academy in Majorca, where she received personal coaching tips from the 22‑time Grand Slam winner. Though Nadal does not hold an official coaching role with her, Swiatek expressed confidence in the informal mentorship: "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 a surprising upset, former world No.2 Elina Svitolina fell 6‑3, 6‑4 to Hungary's Anna Bondar, marking the first time a Hungarian has defeated a top‑10 player since Timea Babos upset CoCo Vandeweghe at the 2018 Australian Open.
Svitolina, who had reached the semifinals in Stuttgart the previous week, was forced to take a medical timeout for ankle treatment while trailing 3‑2 in the second set. Bondar, confident after the win, said, "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 that was one of the keys today." The tournament continues to attract global attention, with Sky Sports broadcasting both ATP and WTA action live, and offering streaming through NOW and the Sky Sports app.
Subscribers can enjoy more than 50 percent additional live sport this year at no extra cost. For fans seeking a seamless viewing experience, the platform recommends using the Chrome browser for optimal video playback. The Madrid Open not only showcases elite tennis talent but also serves as a cultural crossroads where football legends, tennis icons, and emerging stars converge, creating a vibrant atmosphere that celebrates sport in all its forms.