Under the vibrant lights of Hard Rock Stadium, the Miami Open women’s final delivered not just a clash of tennis titans but a moment of pure, unscripted delight that stole the show. Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s No. 1 player, had just clinched her first Miami Open title with a commanding 7-5, 6-2 victory over Jessica Pegula, the No. 4 seed and a hometown favorite. The Belarusian’s triumph marked her third straight win over Pegula in a final, a streak that included the U.S. Open and Cincinnati showdowns of 2024. But as the dust settled on the court, it was Pegula who grabbed the last laugh—and Sabalenka’s drink—in a playful act of revenge that lit up the night.
The match itself was a testament to Sabalenka’s dominance. She stormed through the tournament without dropping a set, her lethal forehand racking up 31 winners against Pegula’s 12. The first set was a tug-of-war, with seven breaks of serve painting a picture of two warriors trading blows. Pegula, buoyed by the South Florida crowd, fought valiantly, even snagging a 3-2 lead. But Sabalenka’s resolve shone through at 6-5, where she unleashed three consecutive winners to break Pegula at love and seize the set. The second set was a different story—Sabalenka surged ahead with four straight games after an early hiccup, sealing the deal with a backhand passing shot that sent her hands skyward in triumph. “Finally I was able to play my best tennis in the final,” she beamed post-match, cradling the hand-blown crystal trophy that symbolized her 19th career title and eighth at the WTA 1000 level.
For Pegula, the defeat was a bitter pill, her third final loss to Sabalenka in less than a year. Yet, her grace under pressure shone through during the trophy ceremony. “I really, really don’t want to like you right now,” she quipped to Sabalenka with a wry smile, “but you’re the best player in the world for a reason. You keep pushing everybody to get better.” The 31-year-old American, who calls Boca Raton home, had battled through a grueling tournament, enduring three three-set matches to reach her sixth WTA 1000 final. Her journey included a semifinal thriller against teenage sensation Alexandra Eala, but against Sabalenka’s relentless power, Pegula’s 48.9 percent first-serve conversion rate couldn’t keep pace.
The real magic, however, unfolded after the final point. Sabalenka, a Miami resident herself, settled in at the Tennis Channel desk for a victory chat with Martina Navratilova and Prakash Amritraj. On the table sat her signature “Marg-Aryna,” a margarita crafted in partnership with Dobel Tequila—a celebratory nod to her triumph. As Sabalenka reflected on finding balance in her aggressive style, a shadow crept up behind her. Pegula, ever the mischief-maker, swooped in, snatched the drink, took a cheeky sip, and darted off with it in hand. The crowd erupted in laughter, and Sabalenka, caught mid-sentence, could only grin. “That’s why I like this girl; she’s the best!” she exclaimed, borrowing Navratilova’s drink for a quick toast before calling for a replacement. “Can I have another one? Please?”
The moment was more than just a prank—it was a window into the camaraderie between two fierce competitors who’ve forged a compelling rivalry. Sabalenka, ever gracious, had earlier offered a heartfelt apology during the ceremony. “First of all, Jess, I’m so sorry, for real,” she said, her tone sincere yet playful. “If I could share the trophy with someone—trophy, prize money, points, everything—I would definitely share it with you. You’re an incredible player, and you always push me to play my best.” Pegula, despite her mock annoyance, returned the sentiment, acknowledging the Belarusian’s stellar month of tennis across Indian Wells and Miami.
For Sabalenka, the win was a homecoming of sorts, her first Miami title after years of near-misses at the tournament. “I feel like home here,” she said, vowing to spend the next two weeks relaxing in Miami before the clay season, complete with “drinks, burgers, pizza, and fun” for her exhausted team. Pegula, meanwhile, heads to Charleston with her head high, her 20-5 season record a testament to her grit. But in Miami, it was the stolen sip—Pegula’s lighthearted heist of the “Marg-Aryna”—that left an indelible mark, a reminder that even in defeat, she could steal a piece of the celebration.
Jessie got her revenge and swiped Aryna’s Marg-Aryna during her TC Desk interview 😂#MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/D6F1AT6Lv0
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) March 29, 2025
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