In a dramatic and emotional climax at the 2025 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka faced yet another crushing defeat in the Stuttgart final, losing 6-4, 6-1 to an unstoppable Jelena Ostapenko. The Belarusian, who has now fallen short in four finals at this prestigious WTA 500 event, made headlines not just for her loss but for her poignant refusal to accept the runner-up trophy, a gesture that encapsulated her frustration and unyielding ambition. As the sold-out Porsche Arena watched, Sabalenka’s raw emotion and cheeky resolve to “buy her own Porsche” stole the show, underscoring her fierce determination to conquer the tournament that continues to elude her.
Sabalenka’s journey to the 2025 final was marked by both brilliance and adversity. As the top seed, she received a first-round bye and a walkover in the second round when Anastasia Potapova withdrew, prompting a playful text to her opponent: “What are you doing to me?” Her campaign gained momentum with a 6-4, 6-1 quarterfinal win over Elise Mertens, followed by a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 semifinal victory against Jasmine Paolini, where she converted six of eight break points. “I had to fight for every point,” Sabalenka said of the Paolini match, her focus already on the coveted Porsche Macan Turbo, valued at $105,000, awarded to the champion. “I’ll be fighting harder than ever before,” she vowed, her eyes fixed on ending her Stuttgart curse.
The final against Ostapenko, however, was a different story. The Latvian, ranked No. 24, unleashed a barrage of winners, dominating with her first serve and converting six of 11 break points. Sabalenka, who had won all three prior encounters with Ostapenko, struggled to find her rhythm, winning just 53% of her first-serve points and managing only 10 points in the second set. Ostapenko’s 81% first-serve win rate and relentless baseline aggression overwhelmed the Belarusian, ending her eight-match win streak that included a Miami Open title. “You were just a better player than me today,” Sabalenka graciously told Ostapenko, who celebrated her ninth career title and second Porsche, adding to her Cayenne Turbo.
The post-match ceremony was where Sabalenka’s personality shone through. As the runner-up trophy was presented, she playfully refused to accept it, shaking her head with a mix of humor and defiance. The crowd, aware of her three previous final losses—to Ashleigh Barty in 2021 and Iga Świątek in 2022 and 2023—erupted in supportive cheers. “I want to congratulate Jelena and her team. Enjoy driving this beautiful car,” Sabalenka said, before delivering a line that captured her spirit: “I’m glad I can afford this car. After this final, I’m gonna order one because this is the only way for me.” With career earnings of $33.3 million, nearly double Ostapenko’s $17.1 million, Sabalenka’s quip was both a nod to her financial success and a bold declaration of resilience.
Sabalenka’s Stuttgart saga has become a compelling narrative in women’s tennis. Her 19 career titles, including three Grand Slams and 2025 wins in Brisbane and Miami, highlight her dominance, yet the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix remains her white whale. “I lost three finals here against No. 1s, so I was like, ‘Okay, I have to come back here as the World No. 1,’” she said before the tournament, reflecting on her motivation. Despite the loss, her 25-5 record in 2025 and 34 weeks atop the rankings cement her status as a titan of the sport. Posts on X captured fans’ reactions, with one calling her “the queen of heart” for her humor, while another lamented her “Stuttgart curse.”
Ostapenko, meanwhile, reveled in her triumph, having defeated both Świątek and Sabalenka—the world’s top two—in the same tournament, a feat previously achieved by Serena Williams. “I felt very confident since the first day,” Ostapenko said, her premonition of victory realized. Her victory lap in the Papaya Metallic Porsche Macan Turbo was a moment of pure joy, contrasting with Sabalenka’s bittersweet exit.
As the clay season continues, Sabalenka’s focus shifts to the Madrid Open, where she won titles in 2021 and 2023. Her Stuttgart defeat, while painful, is unlikely to dim her fire. “I’m gonna fight like it’s the first match,” she had promised before the final, a mindset that will drive her forward. For now, Sabalenka’s refusal to accept the runner-up trophy stands as a powerful symbol of her refusal to settle, ensuring her Stuttgart story remains one of tennis’ most captivating dramas.
Yes, this is my beloved Aryna pic.twitter.com/FNOG6edXCR
— News Aryna Sabalenka (@Sabanewsss) April 21, 2025