MADRID — Among the 2,640 matches played on the Hologic WTA Tour last year, the final of the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open could arguably be considered the best.
The match featured the world`s top two players, who have held the No. 1 ranking for over three years. Naturally, this epic encounter is viewed very differently by the two competitors based on the outcome.
When asked about the match last week, Iga Swiatek remarked, “Honestly, I just think about it occasionally, but not in any particularly detailed way.”
Aryna Sabalenka gave a similar response: “Honestly, I didn’t really think about it that much until now.”
Swiatek eventually won the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open title, defeating Sabalenka 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(7) in 3 hours and 11 minutes after saving three match points. This final was the longest of the previous season and one of only two where the winner saved match points – a testament to both the high quality and endurance of the match.
A potential third consecutive Madrid final between the two rivals did not materialize this year.
Sabalenka reached the semifinal as expected, defeating Elina Svitolina 6-3, 7-5. However, Swiatek was unexpectedly defeated in the semifinal by the No. 4 seed, Coco Gauff, with a score of 6-1, 6-1.
The distinct atmosphere of La Caja Magica in Madrid created a particularly balanced playing field in 2024. Swiatek, a four-time Roland Garros winner, excels on slow red clay. However, Madrid`s thinner air accelerates the ball and the game slightly, which reduces Swiatek`s clay advantage and benefits Sabalenka`s powerful style.
It`s notable that Sabalenka`s only two clay court titles were won in Madrid, in 2021 and 2023. The 2023 victory was against Swiatek in the final. Sabalenka has an impressive record in Madrid, having won 22 of her last 24 matches there.
Between 2020 and 2023, Swiatek largely dominated the European clay season, securing multiple titles in Paris, Rome, and Stuttgart. However, success in Madrid proved elusive for her. Sabalenka, conversely, was aiming to match Petra Kvitova`s record of three Madrid titles. Before the 2024 final, Swiatek held a 7-2 head-to-head record against Sabalenka and had won seven consecutive finals she played in, dating back to her loss to Sabalenka in Madrid in 2023.
After splitting the first two sets, the match nearly concluded before the final set tiebreak. With Swiatek serving at 5-6 in the third set, Sabalenka earned two match points.
Swiatek recalled Rafael Nadal`s comeback from two sets down against Daniil Medvedev in the 2022 Australian Open final.
“I remember exactly when he was playing Medvedev in Australia, and it clicked for him,” Swiatek said of her idol. “That kind of gave me hope that maybe it will click, even after two hours.”
After saving a total of three match points during the game, Swiatek managed to escape the brink of defeat and secure the win when a backhand from Sabalenka went long. Swiatek collapsed onto the court, covering her face with her hands in relief and triumph.
“Who is going to say that women’s tennis is boring now?” Swiatek told the delighted crowd. She also paid tribute to her opponent, saying, “Congrats as well to Aryna because we both had an amazing effort today.”
Reflecting later, Swiatek commented, “I was surprised that in the third set I felt the best mentally. Because, yeah, I actually felt like I needed to dig through for these two hours and it didn’t really work. I was, like, `Oh, my God, am I going to feel a little bit more loose soon?’ ”
Sabalenka, despite the heartbreaking loss, remained stoic in her post-match interview.
“I’m going to suffer for a day, and tomorrow I’m leaving to Rome, so I’m going to forget it quickly,” Sabalenka told reporters. She added with a touch of humor, “It’s my birthday tomorrow. I hope I’m going to be in a good mood.”
Then, with a slight shift in tone, she added:
“I’m going to be in a bad mood. I am 26 tomorrow. It sucks.”
This victory marked Swiatek`s ninth WTA 1000 title and her 20th career title overall. At that time, she became the youngest player since Caroline Wozniacki over a decade prior to achieve 20 tour titles.
One year on from the epic final, both players reflected on the match.
“That match was, yeah, it was a ball-buster,” Sabalenka commented. “That was amazing match, even though I lost it. This is like nothing I can be upset with, to be honest. I did my best there, and she just outplayed me.”
Swiatek added, “It’s hard to relive it, because there are not many matches that are so intense and on such a high level. Sometimes the finals are actually a bit worse level than quarterfinals or semis, because the players are a little bit tight.
“But me and Aryna, we put on a great show, for sure. Also for the fans, I think it was great to watch it.”
Rupert Caldwell