Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion, is on a mission to conquer the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany, a WTA 500 event that has eluded her despite three final appearances. As the top seed in 2025, Sabalenka is determined to claim the coveted title—and the iconic Porsche Macan Turbo prize—after finishing as runner-up in 2021, 2022, and 2023. “I want to finally win the Porsche this year,” she declared with steely resolve before the tournament. “I lost three finals here against No. 1s, so I was, like: ‘Okay, I have to do it. I have to come back here as the world No. 1.’” Her journey, however, has taken an unexpected twist, with a bizarre set of circumstances delaying her first match until the quarterfinals, adding intrigue to her 2025 campaign.
Sabalenka’s history with Stuttgart is a tale of near misses. In 2021, she fell to then-world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty in a thrilling 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 battle. The next two years saw her face Iga Swiatek, the reigning No. 1, losing 6-2, 6-2 in 2022 and 6-3, 6-4 in 2023. A quarterfinal exit to Marketa Vondrousova in 2024 marked her first non-final finish at the event, fueling her hunger to return stronger. “I love this tournament, always enjoy my time here and always enjoy playing here,” Sabalenka said, her affection for the Porsche Arena’s indoor clay courts evident. Her 2025 season, with titles in Brisbane and Miami and finals at the Australian Open and Indian Wells, positions her as a formidable contender, boasting a 23-4 record.
The Stuttgart draw handed Sabalenka a unique path. As a top seed, she received a first-round bye, a standard perk at WTA 500 events. Her scheduled second-round opponent, Anastasia Potapova, battled through a grueling 2-6, 7-6(8), 6-3 win over Clara Tauson but withdrew on April 15 due to a recurring injury. “Very sad to announce that I’m not able to continue my run in Stuttgart,” Potapova posted, citing her “old injury.” WTA rules prevented a lucky loser replacement after the first round Anglo-Saxon law in Baden-Württemberg, where Stuttgart is located, prohibits sporting events on Good Friday, April 18, 2025, further delaying play until Saturday. “It’s a bit awkward,” Sabalenka admitted with a wry smile, noting she messaged Potapova to check on her condition. The extended wait, with three matches potentially required in three days to win the title, tests her adaptability. “We have adjusted the practice schedule a little and there’s gym time for me,” she added, embracing the challenge.
Sabalenka’s quarterfinal opponent is Elise Mertens, her former doubles partner, who advanced with a 6-2, 7-6(5) win over Diana Shnaider. Sabalenka holds a 4-2 head-to-head edge, including a 6-1, 6-2 rout in Stuttgart 2023, but Mertens’ crafty play demands focus. “I really enjoy playing on clay,” Sabalenka said, reflecting on her preparation, which began immediately after Miami. Her 2023 Madrid Open title, where she defeated Swiatek in a three-set epic, underscores her clay-court prowess, making her a favorite against a stacked field featuring Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Jessica Pegula.
Sabalenka’s off-court charisma shines in Stuttgart, where she jokingly proposed a “deal” with organizers in 2023 for a Porsche even if she lost another final. “I will come back till I get the car,” she quipped, a vow she’s fulfilling as world No. 1. Her playful side emerged when she pretended to smash Swiatek’s Porsche with her runner-up trophy in 2023, delighting fans. In 2025, she shared an Instagram story sneaking a grape from a fruit basket labeled “not for us” in German, captioning it, “Sorry, we don’t speak German.”
As Sabalenka prepares for Saturday’s quarterfinal, her mental preparation remains key. “Even if you don’t have the feeling you’re going to win the tournament, you’re trying to make yourself think you will,” she said, revealing her mindset. With a potential semifinal clash against Gauff and a final against Swiatek looming, her quest for the €142,610 prize and 500 ranking points is fraught with challenges. Yet, her 12-2 record against top-10 players since 2024 and unwavering determination make her a force. Stuttgart 2025 is Sabalenka’s chance to rewrite her story, trading runner-up heartbreak for a victory lap in a Papaya Metallic Porsche.