Aryna Sabalenka’s luxury problem: What’s forcing her to buy a new car

Aryna Sabalenka isn’t just the world No 1 in tennis — she might also be the world No 1 when it comes to Porsche heartbreak.

After her fourth final defeat at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, the Belarusian joked that there’s only one way left for her to get behind the wheel of the tournament’s iconic prize: buy it.

“I’m glad I can afford this car,” Sabalenka grinned after losing to Jelena Ostapenko in Sunday’s final. “After this final, we’re gonna order one — because I guess this is the only way for me!”

The Stuttgart event, also known as the Porsche Grand Prix, awards its champion with a gleaming £97,000 electric Porsche Macan Turbo. Sabalenka has now reached the final four times — and left empty-handed each time.

Between 2021 and 2023, she lost three straight finals to world No 1s. This year, she was the world No 1, and figured it was finally her turn. But Ostapenko had other plans.

Porsche pursuit turns personal

The Porsche had become something of a personal mission for Sabalenka — part trophy, part grudge match, part dream car.

“I lost three finals here against No. 1s,” she said before the tournament. “So I was like, ‘OK, I have to do it. I have to come back here as the world No. 1’. I want to finally win the Porsche this year.”

Instead, she watched another player drive off in it again — and delivered the most expensive joke of the tournament.

But now that she’s finally (sort of) accepted her Stuttgart fate, Sabalenka’s ready to swap heartbreak for horsepower. She might not have won the Macan on court — but she’s still planning to make it hers.

Next stop: Madrid magic

Still, there’s bigger clay to conquer. Sabalenka now turns her focus to the Madrid Open, where she’s a two-time champion and one of the favourites to go all the way again.

Last year, she pushed Iga Swiatek to the edge in a three-hour epic that was named WTA Match of the Year. This time, she’s hoping to finish the job.

Blockbuster match

“That match was a blockbuster,” she said. “If I can play like that on clay again, I think I have big chances.”

She’ll open against either Anna Blinkova or Panna Udvardy in round two — and will do so under a new spotlight: Madrid has introduced live electronic line-calling on clay for the first time.

“I prefer Hawk-Eye,” she shrugged. “Sometimes referees are too weak to admit they made a mistake.”

And if all goes well in Madrid? The winner’s cheque is €523,870 — just enough to finally buy that Macan Turbo.