In the electrifying atmosphere of the Porsche Arena, the 48th Porsche Tennis Grand Prix culminated in a final that left world number one Aryna Sabalenka grappling with familiar disappointment. The 26-year-old Belarusian, a fan favorite for her powerful game and vibrant personality, fell 6-4, 6-1 to Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko in the Stuttgart Open final on April 21, 2025. The defeat marked Sabalenka’s fourth consecutive loss in the tournament’s championship match, denying her not only the title but also the coveted prize: a sleek Porsche Macan Turbo Electric, valued at over $77,000. With a mix of humor and resolve, Sabalenka vowed to secure the car her own way, declaring, “I’m glad I can afford this car. After this final, I’m gonna order one because this is the only way for me.”
Sabalenka’s journey to the Stuttgart final was marked by both anticipation and an unusual twist. As the top seed, she received a first-round bye and advanced to the quarterfinals without hitting a ball when her second-round opponent, Anastasia Potapova, withdrew due to injury. “Luckily enough I was finally able to get on court,” Sabalenka said after her 6-4, 6-1 quarterfinal win over Elise Mertens, reflecting on her delayed start. She followed with a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 semifinal victory against Jasmine Paolini, noting, “I had to fight for every point, it’s always tough against Jasmine.” Entering the final with a 3-0 head-to-head lead over Ostapenko, Sabalenka was poised to break her Stuttgart curse, having previously lost finals to Ashleigh Barty in 2021 and Iga Swiatek in 2022 and 2023. “I’ve been in the final three times and have always lost against the world No. 1,” she said before the match. “I’m the number one myself this year. I hope it’s my turn this time around.”
The final, however, belonged to Ostapenko. The unseeded Latvian, known for her aggressive style, outplayed Sabalenka with precision and nerve, breaking her in the first set and dominating the second. Ostapenko’s victory earned her the $162,181 prize money, her ninth WTA title, and the keys to the Porsche Macan Turbo. In her post-match speech, she teased Sabalenka with warmth, saying, “Congrats Aryna, I think you hate me now because you wanted this car so badly. I’m sure you’ll get it another time.” Sabalenka’s response was a blend of graciousness and cheeky determination. “I want to congratulate Jelena and her team. Enjoy driving this beautiful car,” she said, before adding with a laugh, “I’m gonna fight for this beautiful car behind me. Please, I beg you, please. I need this car!”
Sabalenka’s obsession with the Porsche prize is no secret. A self-proclaimed car enthusiast, she already owns a Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo, alongside a Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster, a Mercedes G-Class, and a BMW M4. Her visit to the Porsche Museum during the tournament, where she marveled at a 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera adorned with Australian indigenous art, further fueled her desire. “The car is simply made for me,” she enthused, connecting its “tiger” spirit to her own nickname and tattoo. Her lighthearted plea in 2023 for tournament organizers to “get an extra car” if she reached another final underscored her playful persistence, though she admitted, “I will keep trying, probably in 10 years, 20 years, will get this car.”
Despite the loss, Sabalenka’s resilience shines through. With 19 WTA titles, including three Grand Slams, and a 25-4 match record in 2025, her dominance remains unquestioned. As she shifts focus to the Madrid Open, where she holds two clay-court titles, Sabalenka is determined to move past Stuttgart’s sting. Her fans, captivated by her humor and grit, eagerly await her next chance to claim both a title and, perhaps, another Porsche to add to her garage.