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 the opening round. The win came on the heels of her remarkable "Sunshine Double" – a back‑to‑back title run at Indian Wells and Miami – and marked her first match on the red surface of the prestigious Spanish event.
Having just been honoured as Sportswoman of the Year at the Laureus Awards, Sabalenka returned to competition after a three‑week hiatus. The break, which she described as a much‑needed pause, left her looking slightly out of rhythm at the start of the Madrid campaign. Nevertheless, the world No.
1 managed to edge Stearns 7‑5, 6‑3, showing enough resilience to claim a straight‑sets victory despite the unfamiliar conditions. In a post‑match interview with Sky Sports Tennis, Sabalenka admitted the encounter was tougher than she had anticipated. "It was my first match on clay, and Peyton is an incredible player.
The court really suits her game, especially her heavy topspin and kick serve," she said. "The longer I stayed on the court, the more comfortable I felt, and I hope to bring even better tennis in the next round. I'm just glad that when it mattered, I was able to play my best tennis." Former British No. 1 Laura Robson weighed in on Sabalenka's performance, noting the high expectations placed on the Belarusian.
"We expect perfection from Sabalenka most of the time, especially given her astonishing 24‑1 win‑loss record this year," Robson explained. "But you have to remember she just came off a short break after Miami.
She's being very selective with her schedule, picking the tournaments that fit her goals." Robson praised Sabalenka's composure against a challenging opponent. "Stearns hits a lot of balls and has a kick serve that really bounces up at you, especially at altitude.
Sabalenka handled those conditions well. It wasn't her absolute best performance, but the fact that she won in straight sets shows her mental toughness. As she builds momentum heading into the later stages, she looks relaxed and confident, which is why she's a favorite to go deep in the draw." 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 recounted their first meeting: "I was supposed to attend a Real Madrid match last year, and Thibaut messaged me to see if I was coming.
He ended up spending time with my boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis, and we only met right before the match. He's a great guy and very supportive." Courtois, alongside Rafael Nadal, Jannik Sinner and footballer Jude Bellingham, posed for a photo at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu, which has been transformed for the tournament into a unique training venue. A temporary clay court was installed inside the stadium, giving players the rare chance to practice on a surface steeped in football history while enjoying the altitude and atmosphere that Madrid offers.
The event continued with other notable results. Iga Świątek, the 2024 champion, dispatched qualifier Daria Snigur in just 61 minutes, winning 6‑1, 6‑2. Świątek, who learned Spanish in high school, offered a brief greeting to the local crowd, joking, "Honestly I should've learned more, but hola, ¿cómo estás Madrid?" She also spoke about her admiration for Rafael Nadal, recalling a training stint at his Mallorca academy.
"He's not officially coaching me, but I can always ask him anything. Knowing he's there is comforting and shows what a great person he is," she said.
In another upset, former world No. 3 Elina Svitolina fell 6‑3, 6‑4 to Hungary's Anna Bondar, who became the first Hungarian to defeat a top‑10 player since Timea Babos's surprise win over CoCo Vandeweghe at the 2018 Australian Open.
Bondar explained her confidence: "I knew I had to bring my A‑game, and I did. I've played Svitolina three times before, so I knew what to expect.
The conditions here suit my heavy forehand, which was a key factor today." Svitolina, who had reached the semifinals in Stuttgart the previous week, was forced to take a medical timeout for an ankle issue while trailing 3‑2 in the second set. The treatment allowed her to continue, but she could not overturn the momentum. Overall, the Madrid Open is shaping up as a pivotal stop on the WTA 1000 circuit, with players adjusting to the high‑altitude clay and the unique atmosphere of the Bernabéu. Sky Sports continues to broadcast live matches across both the ATP and WTA tours, and subscribers can also stream the action via NOW or the Sky Sports app, enjoying over 50% more live sport at no extra cost.
Fans are encouraged to watch the remaining rounds, as the tournament promises more dramatic clashes, potential breakthroughs, and the chance to see whether Sabalenka can translate her hard‑court dominance into clay success as she aims for another Madrid title.