Sabalenka Before Facing Gauff in Madrid Final: "I Hope to Do a Bit Better Than Last Year"

This Saturday at 6:30 PM, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff will battle for the title at the WTA 1000 in Madrid, marking their first clash of the 2025 season. In excellent form at the start of the season, the Belarusian world No. 1 has lost only one set on her way to the final (against Elise Mertens in the third round).

Confident, she has already won Miami this year, in addition to reaching the finals at the Australian Open and Indian Wells. Speaking to the media at the Mutua Madrid Open, Sabalenka previewed the final against the American, who lost the first set of her second-round match 6-0 to Dayana Yastremska before dominating the rest of the tournament.

"Reaching so many finals in such a short time—I didn’t even think about it. It feels crazy. I’m just very grateful for every opportunity I get, and honestly, it’s incredible that I’m playing at such a high level.

I get very excited every time I come here to Madrid. I love playing in this stadium, and I appreciate the support I receive. I enjoy tough battles, and I’m really happy to be in another final.

I hope to do a bit better than last year. Coco and I have had many great battles against each other, very tough and tight matches. I’ll step onto the court and fight for every point.

I think this is the best preparation to face someone like Coco," Sabalenka explained, having secured her third consecutive final in the Spanish capital. In 2024, she lost to Iga Swiatek.