Sabalenka Eyes Madrid Redemption: “Big Chances” on Clay This Season
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is stepping into the Madrid Open with high hopes and unfinished business. The Belarusian powerhouse believes this clay-court season could be hers to dominate—especially if she taps into the level she reached during last year’s unforgettable final at the Caja Mágica.
Twelve months ago, Sabalenka stood on the brink of glory in Madrid, holding three match points against Iga Swiatek in what turned out to be an epic showdown. Although she eventually fell short, the match was hailed as the WTA Match of the Year—a testament to the intensity and quality both players brought to the court.
“That match was a blockbuster, and I really enjoyed playing,” Sabalenka reflected on Wednesday. “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 this season.”
Despite the heartbreaking loss, the 26-year-old looks back with pride. “That was an 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.”
Now a two-time champion in Madrid, Sabalenka is gunning for her third title in the Spanish capital. She’s arriving with momentum too, having recently reached the final in Stuttgart before falling to Jelena Ostapenko. Still, she’s yet to lift a clay-court trophy since her 2023 Madrid triumph—a drought she’s determined to end.
The top seed will begin her campaign against either Anna Blinkova or Panna Udvardy in the second round.
Adding a new layer of intrigue to this year’s tournament is the introduction of live electronic line calling on clay—marking the first time both the WTA and ATP Tours are using the system on this surface. While some players have welcomed the shift to technology, others remain skeptical, questioning its accuracy when the virtual replay doesn’t match the mark on the court.
Sabalenka, for her part, is firmly in favor. “I prefer to have the Hawk-Eye system than the referee,” she said. “Sometimes referees can be very weak to go there and confirm they made a mistake. So yeah, I prefer to have the Hawk-Eye system.”
Elsewhere on opening day, former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova returned to clay for the first time in two years, following a 17-month maternity leave. But her comeback was cut short by American Katie Volynets, who stormed back from a 4-1 deficit to win 6-4, 6-0.
As the Madrid Open heats up, all eyes will be on Sabalenka to see if she can turn her “big chances” into another big win on the red dirt of Spain.
