Out of the 2,640 Hologic WTA Tour matches played last year, the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open final between Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka was arguably the finest.
It featured the world`s top two players, who have dominated the No. 1 ranking for over three years. Given the outcome, it`s unsurprising that this epic battle is remembered differently by the two competitors.
When asked about the match recently, Iga Swiatek commented, “Honestly, I just think about it from time to time, but not in a really specific way.”
Aryna Sabalenka`s response was similar: “Honestly, I didn’t really think about it that much until this moment.”
Swiatek eventually triumphed, saving three match points to win 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(7) after 3 hours and 11 minutes. This marathon match was the longest final of the previous season and one of only two where the winner saved match points, highlighting its exceptional quality and duration.
With both players reaching Thursday`s semifinals, there`s an exciting possibility of a third consecutive Madrid final meeting between them. Sabalenka faces No. 17 seed Elina Svitolina, while Swiatek must overcome No. 4 seed Coco Gauff.
This would be a rare feat, marking the first time in 25 years that the same two players have contested any WTA tournament final for three years running.
The last instance on clay was in 1994, when Arantxa Sanchez Vicario defeated Steffi Graf in a third-set tiebreaker in Hamburg, ending Graf`s 36-match winning streak.
A year ago, the unique conditions at La Caja Magica created a level playing field. Swiatek, a four-time Roland Garros winner, excels on slow red clay. However, Madrid`s thinner air makes the court faster, neutralizing Swiatek`s advantage and boosting Sabalenka`s powerful game.
It`s notable that Sabalenka`s only two clay court titles were won here in Madrid (2021 and 2023), with the 2023 victory coming against Swiatek in the final.
While Swiatek dominated European clay courts between 2020 and 2023, winning titles in Paris, Rome, and Stuttgart, the Madrid title remained elusive for her. Sabalenka, on the other hand, was aiming to match Petra Kvitova`s record of three Madrid titles. Heading into the match, Swiatek held a 7-2 head-to-head advantage and had won seven consecutive finals since losing to Sabalenka in Madrid in 2023.
After splitting the first two sets, the match nearly concluded before the deciding tiebreak. With Swiatek serving at 5-6 in the third set, Sabalenka earned two match points.
Swiatek recalled the memory of her idol, Rafael Nadal`s, two-set comeback victory against Daniil Medvedev in the 2022 Australian Open final.
Reflecting on Nadal`s match, Swiatek said, “I remember exactly when he was playing Medvedev in Australia, and it clicked for him. That kind of gave me hope that maybe it will click, even after two hours [of playing].”
After saving a total of three match points, Swiatek found a way to escape defeat and ultimately won when a Sabalenka backhand went long. Swiatek sank to the ground, her face buried in her hands.
Addressing the crowd, Swiatek exclaimed, “Who is going to say that women’s tennis is boring now? Congrats as well to Aryna because we both had an amazing effort today.”
Later, Swiatek commented on her mindset: “I was surprised that in the third set I felt the best mentally. Because, yeah, I actually felt like I needed to dig through for these two hours and it didn’t really work. I was, like, ‘Oh, my God, am I going to feel a little bit more loose soon?’”
Sabalenka, meanwhile, remained composed.
Speaking to reporters, Sabalenka said, “I’m going to suffer for a day, and tomorrow I’m leaving to Rome, so I’m going to forget it quickly. It’s my birthday tomorrow. I hope I’m going to be in a good mood.”
She then added with a wry smile,
“I’m going to be in a bad mood. I am 26 tomorrow. It sucks.”
This victory marked Swiatek`s ninth WTA 1000 title and 20th career title overall. At that time, she was the youngest player to reach 20 titles since Caroline Wozniacki twelve years prior.
A year later, both players reflected on the memorable match.
Sabalenka described the match as “a ball-buster.” She added, “That was an amazing match, even though I lost it. This is like nothing I can be upset with, to be honest. I did my best there, and she just outplayed me.”
Swiatek commented, “It’s hard to relive it, because there are not many matches that are so intense and on such a high level. Sometimes the finals are actually a bit worse level than quarterfinals or semis, because the players are a little bit tight.”
She concluded, “But me and Aryna, we put on a great show, for sure. Also for the fans, I think it was great to watch it.”
Jasper Hawthorne 
Dominic Ashworth