In a display of raw power and unrelenting determination, Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s top-ranked women’s tennis player, stormed to victory at the 2025 Madrid Open, defeating Coco Gauff in a gripping final on May 3. The 6-3, 7-6(3) win not only marked Sabalenka’s third Madrid title but also etched her name alongside tennis legend Serena Williams in the history books. With this triumph, Sabalenka became the first player since Williams in 2013 to win both the Miami and Madrid Open titles in the same season, a feat that underscores her dominance on the WTA Tour and her place among the sport’s elite.
The Madrid Open final was a showcase of Sabalenka’s explosive game, blending ferocious groundstrokes with a commanding serve. Facing Gauff, the No. 4 seed and a formidable opponent with a 5-5 head-to-head record against her, Sabalenka seized control early. She broke Gauff’s serve to take a 4-1 lead in the first set, capitalizing on 17 consecutive points to secure the set 6-3. The second set was a tighter affair, with Gauff battling back to break Sabalenka’s serve and lead 5-3. But Sabalenka’s resilience shone through in the tiebreak, where her aggressive play overwhelmed Gauff, clinching the match in just over an hour. This victory, her 20th career singles title, solidified Sabalenka’s lead in the WTA rankings, where she now holds a commanding 4,000-point advantage over No. 2 Iga Swiatek.
Sabalenka’s 2025 season has been a masterclass in consistency and ambition. The Belarusian has reached six WTA finals this year, including Brisbane, the Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami, Stuttgart, and now Madrid, winning three. Her Madrid triumph ties her with Petra Kvitova for the most titles at the event, and she became only the second player in the Open Era, after Williams, to claim her first three clay-court titles at a Grand Slam, Tier I, or WTA 1000 event—all in Madrid. Reflecting on her remarkable run, Sabalenka told reporters, “(Getting to six finals) sounds crazy, to be honest. I work hard and I know that if I bring my game and if I fight for every point, I’m capable of that.” Her words reveal a player acutely aware of her potential and driven to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
The parallels with Williams extend beyond the Miami-Madrid double. Sabalenka’s victory also saw her match another Williams record, becoming the second player to win three titles at two different WTA 1000 events (Madrid and Wuhan) since the format’s introduction in 2009. This achievement places her in rare company, highlighting her ability to dominate across surfaces and tournaments. Her 2025 campaign, which includes a tour-leading 31 wins, has been marked by a fearless approach, earning praise from observers like Rick Macci, Williams’ former coach, who lauded her “courage” and biomechanical prowess. “What I love most about Sabalenka and her game is THE BIG C. Courage. There is a fine line between Courage and Stupidity. But she tries to deal the cards and run the show every match. BANG!” Macci wrote on social media.
For Sabalenka, the Madrid win is more than a trophy; it’s a statement of intent as the clay season progresses. With the Italian Open starting May 7 and the French Open on the horizon, she’s poised to chase her first Roland Garros title, a goal she’s openly embraced. Her previous encounters with Gauff, including a loss in the 2023 US Open final, add depth to their rivalry, and Sabalenka’s ability to prevail in Madrid signals her mental and physical growth. As she prepares for Rome, where she’s reached the final in recent years, Sabalenka carries the momentum of a player rewriting her legacy—one thunderous forehand at a time.
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