MADRID — Among the 2,640 matches held on the Hologic WTA Tour last year, the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open final stands out as possibly the best.
This showdown featured the top two players in the world, who have held the No. 1 ranking for over three years. The aftermath of the match reflects a strikingly different perspective from both competitors.
Iga Swiatek commented on the match last week, stating, “Honestly, I think about it from time to time, but not in a really specific way.” Aryna Sabalenka offered a similar sentiment, saying, “Honestly, I didn’t really think about it that much until this moment.”
In a thrilling encounter, Swiatek saved three match points to secure the title with a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(7) victory, lasting 3 hours and 11 minutes. This match was the longest final of the previous season, marked by high drama and skill.
As both players advanced to the semifinals this week, there’s a chance they could meet again in the Madrid final for the third consecutive year—an extraordinary occurrence. Sabalenka must first defeat No. 17 seed Elina Svitolina, while Swiatek aims to overcome No. 4 seed Coco Gauff.
The last such meeting in a WTA final happened over 25 years ago. The last instance on clay occurred when Arantxa Sanchez Vicario ended Steffi Graf’s winning streak in Hamburg in 1994.
Last year, the atmosphere of La Caja Magica created a competitive setting. While Swiatek excels on red clay, the unique conditions in Madrid benefit Sabalenka’s powerful playing style, contributing to her two clay titles here. Although Swiatek has dominated other European clay tournaments, the Madrid title has consistently eluded her.
The 2024 title marks Swiatek’s ninth WTA 1000 title and her 20th overall, making her the youngest player to achieve this since Caroline Wozniacki. Both players have expressed respect for the epic match, emphasizing its intensity and high quality.
