Aryna Sabalenka’s Madrid Open prize money revealed as she plots a birthday party plan
Aryna Sabalenka revealed she is planning to hold an early birthday party after her win in the Madrid Open final against Coco Gauff.
World No 1 won 17 points in a row early in an error-strewn contest against Gauff, but had to save a set point in the second set on her way to a 6-3, 7-6[3] victory at the Caja Magica.
With her big rival Iga Swiatek dropping ranking points in Madrid and Gauff’s nerves when she is serving continuing to be a major concern, Sabalenka is the undisputed leader in the women’s game heading into the French Open at Roland Garros.
And she revealed the unveiling of a new trophy at the Madrid Open gave her extra incentive to win her third title in the Spanish capital.
“I’m super happy. It wasn’t an easy match today and I’m so happy to get this trophy,” Sabalenka told Sky Sports Tennis.
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“Before the match, I saw they had a new trophy and I was like, ‘I need this one, I want to win this trophy’, and I’m super happy.
“The match was going really well until that early break in the second set and then I was just trying to come back into the match.
“I found my rhythm on the serve and then I was just trying put as much pressure on her serve as possible. I’m just really glad I was able to break her back in that tricky game at 4-5 and it was a really intense end to the match.
“Then on the tie-break I decided to go for it. You cannot doubt yourself. I go for whatever I feel and I go for the bigger targets.
“Then when she was a long way behind [the baseline] I went for the drop shots because I have to try and make her move.”
Sabalenka turns 27 on Monday and she revealed she is planning a night of partying in Madrid with her team, even though the next WTA 1000 tournament in Rome gets underway next Tuesday.
“This was an early birthday gift,” declared Sabalenka. “We are definitely going out and we are going to have some drinks.
“I’m definitely going to have a tequila. I know Rome is coming, but it’s only one drink.”
Sabalenka was not at her best against Guaff, but there was a sense that she knew her chances would come when her rival was put under pressure.
Gauff can match Sabalenka in a battle of ground shots, but her serve is always liable to break down at the crucial moments and that proved to be the crucial factor in this match once again.
Gauff took home prize money of €523,870 by way of compensation for her defeat, but she will be disappointed that she cracked once again when serving for the set.
Sabalenka receives €985,030 and the 1,000 ranking points she collects mean she is now a massive 4,345 points ahead of her nearest rival Iga Swiatek, as her stranglehold over the WTA Tour shows no sign of waning.
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