Aryna Sabalenka, a three‑time champion at the Mutua Madrid Open, finally broke her clay‑court drought this season by defeating American up‑and‑comer Peyton Stearns in straight sets. The win came on the heels of her impressive "Sunshine Double" – a back‑to‑back title run at Indian Wells and Miami – and marked her first match on the red dirt of Madrid. Having just been honoured as Sportswoman of the Year at the Laureus awards, Sabalenka returned to competition after a three‑week hiatus.
The break left her looking a little tentative at the start of the match, but she quickly found her rhythm, edging 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 weighed in on Sabalenka's performance, noting the high expectations placed on the Belarusian star. "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 under the watchful eye of Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who was seated in Sabalenka's players' box.
When asked about their connection, 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, alongside tennis greats Rafael Nadal, Jannik Sinner and football star Jude Bellingham, posed for a photo shoot at the iconic Bernabéu stadium, which has been temporarily transformed into a clay‑court training venue for the tournament. The venue offers players a rare chance to practice in a setting steeped in sporting history, adding an extra layer of prestige to the event. In other news from the Madrid WTA 1000, Iga Swiatek, the 2024 champion, cruised through her second‑round encounter with qualifier Daria Snigur, posting a dominant 6‑1, 6‑2 win in just 61 minutes. Swiatek rattled off six consecutive games in the second set, underscoring her status as a favourite to claim another title.
When asked to speak a few words in Spanish, a language she studied in high school, she joked, "Honestly I should've learned more. But hola, como estas Madrid?" Swiatek also revealed a personal connection to Rafael Nadal, whom she has admired since childhood. She spent a training block at Nadal's academy in Mallorca, receiving advice from the 22‑time Grand Slam champion. While 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." The tournament also delivered a surprise upset: Ukraine's Elina Svitolina fell 6‑3, 6‑4 to Hungary's Anna Bondar, marking Bondar's first victory over a top‑10 opponent. Bondar made history as the first Hungarian to defeat a top‑10 player since Timea Babos upset CoCo Vandeweghe at the 2018 Australian Open.
After receiving treatment for an ankle issue during a medical timeout in the second set, Svitolina fought back but ultimately could not reverse the tide. Bondar reflected on her win, saying, "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 showcase high‑level tennis amid the unique backdrop of the Bernabéu, where football legends and tennis stars intersect.
Fans can follow live action on Sky Sports or stream via NOW and the Sky Sports app, which offers more than 50 percent additional live sport coverage at no extra cost for Sky subscribers. The combination of elite competition, historic venues, and cross‑sport camaraderie makes this week in Madrid a memorable chapter in the 2024 tennis calendar.