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. The win came on the heels of her spectacular "Sunshine Double" – a back‑to‑back triumph at Indian Wells and Miami – and marked her first match on the slower surface of the year. Having just been honoured as Sportswoman of the Year at the Laureus Awards, Sabalenka stepped away from competition for three weeks.
The brief hiatus left her looking a touch tentative at the start of the Madrid tournament, but the Belarusian world number one soon found her rhythm. She edged Stearns 7‑5, 6‑3, showcasing a blend of power and resilience that reminded fans why she is a dominant force on the tour.
In a post‑match interview with Sky Sports Tennis, Sabalenka admitted the contest was a "tough match" and noted that it was her inaugural appearance on clay this year. "She is an incredible player and the court really suits her game," Sabalenka said, praising Stearns' aggressive style and heavy kick serve that often ricochets off the red dirt. "The more time I spent on the court, the better I felt, and I hope my next performance will be even stronger. I'm just glad that when it mattered, I was playing my best tennis." Former British No.
1 Laura Robson weighed in on Sabalenka's performance, emphasizing the high expectations placed on the Belarusian. "We expect perfection most of the time from Sabalenka, especially given her astonishing 24‑1 win‑loss record this season," Robson explained.
"But you have to remember she took a short break after Miami. She’s being selective about which events she enters, and that strategy seems to be paying off." Robson added that the altitude in Madrid presents a unique challenge, particularly against a player like Stearns who can generate a lot of spin and bounce.
"After Miami she wanted a few weeks off, and then coming out here and playing at altitude against someone who throws a lot at you, with a kick‑serve that really bounces up, I felt Sabalenka handled that well. It wasn’t her absolute best performance, but the fact she still won in straight sets is a testament to her form." Off the court, Sabalenka shared a light‑hearted anecdote about her connection with Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who was spotted in her players' box. She recounted how Courtois had reached out to her last year about attending a Real Madrid match. "He messaged me about going to a game, but he ended up spending time with my boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis.
I only met him for the first time before the match. He’s a really nice guy and great support," Sabalenka said, smiling. The iconic Bernabéu stadium, traditionally a football arena, has been transformed for the tournament into a one‑of‑a‑kind training venue.
A full‑size clay court was installed inside the stadium, giving players a rare chance to practice on a surface steeped in Spanish sporting history while surrounded by the grandeur of one of football's most famous grounds. Meanwhile, the women's draw continued to deliver drama.
Iga Swiatek, the 2024 Madrid champion, breezed through her second‑round match, dispatching qualifier Daria Snigur 6‑1, 6‑2 in just 61 minutes. Swiatek rattled off six consecutive games in the second set, reinforcing her status as the tournament favourite. 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, ¿cómo estás Madrid?" Swiatek also revealed a personal connection to Rafael Nadal, the Spanish legend whose academy in Majorca she once visited. "I grew up idolising Nadal, so training at his academy was a dream.
He doesn’t have an official role with me, but I know I can always ask him anything. That’s comforting and shows what a good person he is," she said, noting that Nadal is now even busier than during his playing days. In another upset, former world No. 3 Elina Svitolina fell 6‑3, 6‑4 to Hungary’s Anna Bondar.
Bondar, who became the first Hungarian to defeat a top‑10 opponent since Timea Babos’ 2018 Australian Open win, credited her preparation and heavy forehand for the victory. "I knew I had to bring my A‑game, and I think the conditions here suited my style perfectly," she explained.
"I played her three times last year, so I knew what to expect." Svitolina, who had reached the Stuttgart semifinals a week earlier, was forced to take a medical timeout for an ankle issue while trailing 3‑2 in the second set. Despite the setback, she remained gracious in defeat, acknowledging Bondar’s aggressive play.
The Madrid Open continues to attract a blend of tennis elite and celebrity guests, with streaming options now available via NOW and the Sky Sports app. Fans can watch both ATP and WTA action live, benefiting from a significant increase in accessible live sport this year.
Overall, Sabalenka’s victory signals a promising start to her clay season, despite the brief rustiness after her break. As she gains more confidence on the red dirt, the tennis world will be watching closely to see if she can translate her hard‑court dominance into success at the upcoming French Open.