It seems the Stuttgart clay continues to haunt Aryna Sabalenka, as fate just won’t let her claim that Porsche. Four finals, four heartbreaks! It began in 2021, when Ash Barty dashed her dreams. Then came back-to-back roadblocks from Iga Swiatek in 2022 and 2023. And in 2025? Jelena Ostapenko stepped in to steal the spotlight, and the car keys as well. Despite her powerful game and top seed ranking, Sabalenka remains empty-handed at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. But the Belarusian ace refused to leave empty-handed this year as she took matters into her own hands, as if she couldn’t win it, she’d own it. That’s how champions cope: with horsepower and heart.
Monday’s final in Germany was a showcase of sheer power, as two of the WTA Tour’s fiercest hitters collided in a battle for clay and chrome. Aryna Sabalenka and Jelena Ostapenko brought the fire, but it was the 27-year-old Latvian who burned brightest. With a clinical 6-4, 6-1 victory, Ostapenko dominated after edging a tense opening set, unleashing precision and aggression that left the Belarusian scrambling. The win earned her the trophy, €142,610 in prize money, and the ultimate Stuttgart prize: a sleek new Porsche.
On the other side of the sea, despite falling short for the 4th time in a Stuttgart final, Sabalenka didn’t let the disappointment dim her charm. With a smile and wit, she congratulated the winner and quipped, “I want to congratulate Jelena & her team. Enjoy driving this beautiful car. I’m glad I can afford this car. After this final, I’m gonna order one because this is the only way for me.” True to her word, it seems the top seed has now turned that joke into reality: driving past heartbreak with style and horsepower.
Just a couple of moments ago, “The Tennis Channel” delivered a cheeky masterpiece on Sabalenka’s Stuttgart saga. In a playful short video on its IG page, the first clip shows the Belarusian ace vowing to buy her dream Porsche after falling short in yet another Stuttgart final. The scene then flips to a recent moment in Madrid, where Aryna, smiling widely, confirms the mission is complete: “I did order my car. Purple colour and yeah, full car, you know I was so tired of losing at the finals so I decided to go for the craziest cars there so it’s gonna be fast driving in Miami” The video, perfectly captioned “Porsche secured ,” seals the deal: Sabalenka may not have won the trophy, but she’s still driving off a winner.
It’s been the ultimate symbol of victory at the Stuttgart Open since 1978, and this year’s edition carried on the tradition in style. Ahead of the final, Aryna Sabalenka even made her intentions crystal clear with a playful plea: “I’m gonna fight for this beautiful car behind me. Please, I beg you, please. Please, I need this car!”
Wondered about the object of her desire? A fully electric “Porsche Macan Turbo”, gleaming in Papaya Metallic. The Belarusian top seed, known for her fierce presence on court, claimed it matched her inner “tiger” spirit perfectly. Displayed proudly on Center Court throughout the week, the car wasn’t just a prize; it was pure motivation, daring her to take it home.
While she will be driving her Porsche through Miami, the Belarusian athlete has also expressed her intention to compete at the highest level in Clay with her chances of winning the Madrid Masters.
“Big chances to perform,” Aryna Sabalenka opens up after coming back to Madrid Clay
A year ago in Madrid, Sabalenka came agonizingly close to securing one of the most coveted titles on clay. In a match that went down in history as the “WTA Match of the Year”, she squandered 3 match points against Iga Swiatek in a heart-stopping final. This loss left the Belarusian with a bittersweet memory, as she fought valiantly but ultimately fell short. Now, a year later, Sabalenka arrives in Madrid with a renewed sense of purpose and confidence.
After capturing both the 2024 US and AO titles, Sabalenka’s game is in top form. Yet, there’s one missing piece: her 1st clay court title since her Madrid triumph in 2023. With Swiatek in a low phase and her own momentum building, the top seed has set her sights on taking that next step and making a statement on the red clay. The stage is set for her to write a new chapter this year.
“That match was a blockbuster, and I really enjoyed playing, it was very intense, very long. If I can play like that in every match on clay, I think I have big chances to perform well on the clay-court season this year. That was amazing match, even though I lost it. Nothing I can be upset with, to be honest. I did my best there, and she just outplayed me,” she added.
The top seed will open her Madrid campaign against Russian Anna Blinkova in the 2nd round on April 25, holding a 3-0 head-to-head advantage. Will the Belarusian finally conquer her clay court challenges and mark a new chapter in her career?
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