Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka have just justified their WTA rankings and may have sealed the “Match of the Year” tag in just the fifth month of 2024. Swiatek clinched a nerve-wracking three-setter 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(7) to avenge last year’s Madrid Open final defeat against 2x winner Sabalenka. In a high-octane clash that lasted for 3 hours and 11 minutes, the fans were on the edge of their seats. Joining the melee was a WTA legend no stranger to “high quality tennis” with a more than worthy opponent (anyone heard of Martina Navratilova?) in her active years.

In the last set, Swiatek saved two championship points on her serve to take the final into a tie-breaker for the title. Both players saved match points during the tie-breaker with the Pole eventually prevailing in a thrilling finish.

Chris Evert, closely following the blissful ball striking, took to X somewhere in the middle of the final set to say, “Thoroughly enjoying this @SabalenkaA @iga_swiatek match…very high quality tennis, #and…..no idea who will win… #wta“

With her 20th career title, Swiatek has now claimed every single significant clay court event on the WTA tour with the perfect revenge in Madrid. Last year’s battle of the best came with Sabalenka out on top in an equally difficult battle. The WTA stars’ H2H now stands at 3-7 in Swiatek’s favor. In 5 clay matches between them, there is only one win for Sabalenka. And yet, it was a significant victory for the Polish star, who broke down in tears after grabbing the victory.

Sabalenka did not bow down before Swiatek’s second serve but was rather hitting some strong balls of her own. Once the scoreboard read 5-4, she focused on a running forehand to dominate the Pole. In the second set especially, Sabalenka started swinging harder and aiming closer to the lines, pushing Swiatek to her limit. “I felt like some [of her] decisions were pretty, you know, courageous,” Swiatek said afterward. “So at the end, I just wanted to…also be courageous.”

Is it any wonder that Chris Evert was left awestruck? While the current world no. 1 and 2 are at the beginning of one of the greatest rivalries tennis can see in the coming years, Evert and Navratilova were one of the OG rivals. “No idea who will win” was a popular sentiment when these two came face to face as well, a mind-blowing 80 times. Incidentally, Evert retired before Madrid introduced a WTA 500 tournament.

Although somewhat active on social media, Evert doesn’t often talk about tennis. However this time, the 18-time grand slam champion wasn’t the only WTA legend to get drawn by Swiatek and Sabalenka’s masterclass. Another former World No.1 paid homage to the best in business.

WTA legend moved by Swiatek and Sabalenka

Ana Ivanovic was in complete awe of the players after the final. Unlike Evert, Ivanovic has been regularly sharing her thoughts on the players and the matchups. After the completion of the match, she penned down a beautiful message for the duo. Ana said, “Wow. What a final!! Such a high level of tennis throughout the match. Very powerful game by both players. Congrats @iga_swiatek on an amazing tournament.”

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Serena Williams’ ex-coach Rennae Stubbs was also left mesmerized by the contest and tweeted, “Wow! No one deserved to lose that match. To both players, congrats.” Victoria Azarenka, who went out in the third round of the tournament also showed her appreciation for the finalists and wrote, “Incredible match from both girls! What a final! Amazing! Congratulations to @iga_swiatek for the title and to @SabalenkaA for awesome fight! Bravo.”

Tennis fans will hope to see more such topsy-turvy encounters between Swiatek and Sabalenka down the line and that they rewrite history books much like Evert and Navratilova.