As Aryna Sabalenka prepared to face Coco Gauff in the 2025 Madrid Open final, the World No. 1 found herself momentarily caught off guard by a reporter’s revelation during a press conference. The journalist pointed out that Sabalenka had reached her fourth consecutive final, a feat that placed her among the elite in WTA history. “Honestly, I wasn’t even thinking about that,” Sabalenka admitted, her surprise evident as she processed the milestone. “That sounds crazy. I’m just super grateful for every opportunity I have, and honestly, that’s just crazy that I’m playing on such a high level. Just wow!” Her candid reaction underscored the relentless drive that has defined her 2025 season, culminating in a blockbuster clash at the Caja Mágica.
Sabalenka’s journey to the Madrid final was a masterclass in resilience and power. The 26-year-old Belarusian, who reclaimed the No. 1 ranking in February, stormed through the tournament with just one set dropped. Her campaign began with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Anna Blinkova, followed by a hard-fought 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 comeback against former doubles partner Elise Mertens. “I was trying to find the rhythm on my serve,” Sabalenka said after the Mertens match, crediting her focus on timing for turning the tide. She then dispatched Peyton Stearns 6-2, 6-4 and survived a grueling quarterfinal against Marta Kostyuk, winning 7-6(4), 7-6(7) in a match that lasted over two and a half hours. The semifinal saw her end Elina Svitolina’s 11-match clay-court winning streak with a 6-3, 7-5 triumph. “It was a battle, and conditions were incredibly tough,” Sabalenka reflected, praising her mental strength in navigating windy, rain-interrupted matches.
The reporter’s comment about her four straight finals—Indian Wells, Miami, Stuttgart, and now Madrid—highlighted Sabalenka’s remarkable consistency. She became the first woman since Martina Hingis in 2001 to reach six finals in the first four months of a season, a stat that left her both humbled and motivated. With titles already secured in Brisbane and Miami, and runner-up finishes at the Australian Open and Stuttgart, Sabalenka’s 30-5 record in 2025 leads the WTA. Her Madrid performance, where she saved 39 break points, the most at any WTA event this season, showcased her clutch play under pressure. Facing Gauff, a familiar rival with a 5-4 head-to-head edge, Sabalenka vowed to leave it all on the court. “We had a lot of great battles against each other,” she said. “Very tough ones, very close ones. I’ll just go out there and fight for every point.”
Sabalenka’s affinity for Madrid’s high-altitude clay, which amplifies her powerful baseline game, has made the Caja Mágica her fortress. Her 2021 and 2023 titles, along with a 2024 runner-up finish, give her a 23-4 record at the event, second only to Serena Williams in match wins. A third Madrid crown would tie her with Petra Kvitova for the most titles in the tournament’s history. Yet, the final against Gauff, who stunned Iga Swiatek 6-1, 6-1 in the semifinals, promised a fierce battle. Gauff’s athleticism and 9-1 finals record made her a formidable foe, but Sabalenka’s experience in Madrid’s unique conditions gave her an edge. “I really love this stadium,” she told the crowd after her semifinal, thanking fans for staying late despite the night session’s challenges.
Off the court, Sabalenka’s charm shone through. Her connection with Brazilian fans, who dubbed her “Our Brazilian diva” after her Miami win, continued in Madrid, where she melted hearts by calling herself “almost Brazilian.” Her recent splurge on a $250,000 purple Porsche GT3 RS, a playful response to her Stuttgart final loss, added a touch of flair to her persona. “I’m so tired of losing the final, so I decided I’ll go for the craziest car there,” she quipped. As she stepped onto the Manolo Santana Stadium for her 37th career final, Sabalenka carried not just the weight of expectation but the joy of a journey that continues to surprise even herself.
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