WATCH: Sabalenka Bizarrely Drops Racket Mid-Rally She Could Have Won In Madrid Final
NewsSunday, 04 May 2025 at 10:45
Aryna Sabalenka produced a very bizarre moment during the 2025 Madrid Open final, practically gifting one crucial point to her opponent.
Sabalenka was the better player in the first set of the final in Madrid. At one point, she won 17 consecutive points during the first set, completely dominating Coco Gauff. Eventually, the Belarusian won the first set 6-3.
But Gauff responded well in the second set. The American player broke early in the set, and at 5-4, she was serving to send the match into the decider. It was in that game that Sabalenka fought back, creating a 40-0 lead and three consecutive break points.
She couldn't convert the first break point, and on the second one, the Belarusian produced one of the most bizarre moments in the Madrid Open history. (The video can be watched below the article.) Down 15-40, Gauff served out wide, but Sabalenka caught the ball, putting it back with a forehand slice.
It was a short ball, so Gauff approached the net and played a side-spin slice, which left Sabalenka guessing in which direction the ball might go. Seemingly, the American disguised her ball perfectly, as it confused the WTA World No. 1 player so much that she dropped her racket mid-rally, and despite chasing down the ball, she couldn't play it.
Sabalenka couldn't believe what happened, as she hadn't converted her second break point. Gauff then even had a set point in that game, but Sabalenka was still able to break and win the match in two sets 6-3, 7-6(3).
So despite producing a truly bizarre moment, the 26-year-old didn't have much to be angry about. She left the Spanish capital with a trophy, and she was incredibly happy about it afterward.
"I'm just super excited every time to come to Madrid to play on this beautiful court. I don't know, I just love this court, I love the support here, I think that's the secret. I've been working [my] whole life to achieve this goal, and to be on the top of the ranking, that means a lot."
"I've been working really hard and improving my game on bringing variety into my game. I think that's the biggest key in most of the matches right now."
"I'm super happy that we were able to improve my game in, honestly, in everything, the movement, my touch game is much better right now. ... Kind of like trying to come to the net, I'm not sure if it's really successful so far, but I'm trying."
After the final, Sabalenka was also asked whether she believes she could win the Italian Open in Rome as well as the Roland Garros now. She found the question amusing, and despite believing she could do it, she also knows that there are many great players who can challenge her for the title.
"[Laughing]. I mean, in my mind, in my dreams, yes I can. But sometimes the reality is different. I will definitely go out there and compete and fight and see if my dream will be the same in real life."
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