Stuttgart’s red clay has become a recurring scene of heartbreak for Aryna Sabalenka. Four finals, four agonizing defeats – a pattern etched by Barty in 2021, Swiatek in 2022 and 2023, and now, most recently, by the unexpected triumph of Jelena Ostapenko in 2025. But this year, the Belarusian star wasn’t about to leave empty-handed, devising a memorable way to claim a piece of Stuttgart for herself.

Monday’s final in Germany was a showcase of sheer power, as two of the WTA Tour’s fiercest hitters collided in a battle for clay and chrome. Aryna Sabalenka and Jelena Ostapenko brought the fire, but it was the 27-year-old Latvian who burned brightest. With a clinical 6-4, 6-1 victory, Ostapenko dominated after edging a tense opening set, unleashing precision and aggression that left the Belarusian scrambling. The win earned her the trophy, $162,181 in prize money, and £97,000 ($128,680) Porsche Macan Turbo Electric, gleaming in Papaya Metallic.

On the other side of the sea, despite falling short for the 4th time in a Stuttgart final, Sabalenka didn’t let the disappointment dim her charm. With a smile and wit, she congratulated the winner and quipped, “I want to congratulate Jelena & her team. Enjoy driving this beautiful car. I’m glad I can afford this car. After this final, I’m gonna order one because this is the only way for me.” Little did people know she was serious!

On Wednesday, “Tennis Channel” delivered a cheeky masterpiece on Sabalenka’s Stuttgart saga. In a playful short video on its IG page, the first clip shows the Belarusian ace vowing to buy her dream Porsche after falling short in the 48th Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. Additionally, ahead of the final, Aryna Sabalenka even made her intentions crystal clear with a playful plea: “I’m gonna fight for this beautiful car behind me. Please, I beg you, please. Please, I need this car!” The scene then flips to a recent scene in Madrid, where Aryna, smiling widely, confirms the mission is complete.

“I did order my car, I think we’re going for [Porsche 911 GT3 RS] Purple and full car I’m so tired of losing in the final so I decided to go for the craziest car there is. It’s going to be fast driving in Miami.” The video was perfectly captioned: “Porsche secured 😂💜” According to Porsche’s official figures, the 911 GT3 RS starts at a staggering $241,300 – nearly two and a half times the $99,878 prize money Sabalenka earned from this year’s Stuttgart final.

Despite the Stuttgart disappointment, Aryna Sabalenka’s car collection is far from meager. Sports Info reports that the 26-year-old Belarusian already owns a Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo, alongside a Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster, a Mercedes G-Class, and a BMW M4.

While driving her new Porche, the Belarusian athlete has now expressed her intention to compete at the highest level on Clay.

Aryna Sabalenka opened up on coming back to Madrid Clay

After capturing both the 2024 US and AO titles, Sabalenka’s game is in top form. Yet, there’s one missing piece: her 1st clay court title since her Madrid triumph in 2023 (second since her first Madrid title in 2021). A year ago in Madrid, Sabalenka came agonizingly close to securing one of the most coveted titles on clay.

In a match that went down in history as the “WTA Match of the Year”, she squandered 3 match points against Iga Swiatek in a heart-stopping final. This loss left the Belarusian with a bittersweet memory, as she fought valiantly but ultimately fell short. Now, a year later, Sabalenka arrives in Madrid with a renewed sense of purpose and confidence. 

“That match was a blockbuster, and I really enjoyed playing, it was very intense, very long. If I can play like that in every match on clay, I think I have big chances to perform well on the clay-court season this year. That was amazing match, even though I lost it. Nothing I can be upset with, to be honest. I did my best there, and she just outplayed me,” she said on April 23 as reported by The Straits Times.

The top seed will open her Madrid campaign against Russian Anna Blinkova in the 2nd round on April 25, holding a 3-0 head-to-head advantage. Will the Belarusian finally conquer her clay court challenges and mark a new chapter in her career?