Maybe the fourth time isn’t the charm after all. Aryna Sabalenka has now played four finals at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart—and lost every single one. She first came close in 2021 but lost to Ash Barty. Then, in 2022 and 2023, it was Iga Swiatek who blocked her path to the title. And now in 2025, it’s Jelena Ostapenko who has snatched the trophy and the Porsche from the World No. 1. But worry not, the Belarusian has found a way to get the sweet ride anyway!
The final on Monday was all about power. Two of the cleanest and most aggressive hitters on the WTA Tour went head-to-head. But it was Ostapenko who came out on top, with a rock-solid 6-4, 6-1 win. She held her nerve in a tight first set and then completely took over in the second. Sabalenka just couldn’t match the Latvian’s fire and accuracy.
Ostapenko not only grabbed the trophy and the €142,610 ($162,181) prize money, but she also drove away with the Porsche. It’s been the iconic prize at the Stuttgart Open since 1978, and this year, being the 48th edition, was no different. Before the match, Sabalenka had joked about her motivation, saying, “I’m gonna fight for this beautiful car behind me. Please, I beg you, please. Please, I need this car!” That car was a fully electric Porsche Macan Turbo in a shiny Papaya Metallic, which Sabalenka believed matched her “tiger” spirit. It had been on display all week on Centre Court, tempting her.
Despite the loss, the World No.1 kept things light in her post-match speech. She said, “I want to congratulate Jelena & her team. Enjoy driving this beautiful car. I’m glad I can afford this car. After this final, I’m gonna order one because this is the only way for me.”
The Belarusian already has some luxurious wheels in her garage, one which already includes another Porsche. According to Sports Info, the 26-year-old owns a Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo. That’s not all. She also has a Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster, a Mercedes G-Class, and a BMW M4. Losing this Porsche probably still stings, but let’s just say her garage is far from empty.
And after this loss, she still has plenty to look forward to!
Aryna Sabalenka gets an easy path at the Madrid Open
Aryna Sabalenka’s draw in Madrid looks pretty smooth. As the top seed at the WTA 1000 Mutua Madrid Open, she gets a bye in the first round. In Round 2, she’ll face a qualifier. That should be manageable. Her likely third-round opponent is Elise Mertens, and Sabalenka has beaten her seven times in a row, including just last week in Stuttgart.
Looking further ahead, she might face 15th seed Amanda Anisimova in the fourth round. Then in the quarterfinals, there’s a possible clash with eighth seed Zheng Qinwen. But Sabalenka has dominated that matchup too—she’s 6-0 against Zheng. There’s also a chance she plays Paula Badosa, her best friend on tour, who’s recently returned from injury. That would definitely be an emotional match. If the 3-time Grand Slam champion gets past the quarters, she could face Jessica Pegula in the semifinals. Pegula has been solid this season, but Sabalenka knows how to handle pressure on Madrid’s red clay.
She’s won the tournament twice—once in 2021 and again in 2023. Her powerful game fits the conditions at the Caja Mágica perfectly. That makes her one of the clear favorites again this year.
Even though she left Stuttgart empty-handed (again), Sabalenka doesn’t stay down for long. Her eyes are already on Madrid. She lost the Porsche. But can she win Madrid instead?