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Tennis enthusiasts are excitedly awaiting a reliving of last year’s déjà vu moment as the Madrid Open final approaches. An exciting clay-court rematch between defending champions Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek is anticipated as the two prepare for their final encounter. While the outcome of the match will be decided on the court, the biggest question is how much either of them will get for taking the title home.

With the Madrid Open being one of the events that offers equal prize money to male and female players, it represents a significant step towards gender equality in tennis. In addition, the total purse for this year’s event increased by 2% over 2023 to a record-breaking $16,999,082. In addition to the coveted trophy, the winner of the singles competition will take home a substantial payment of $963,255.

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The runners-up, however, will take home little more than half of the winners’ salary, with a healthy $512,260 in prize money up for grabs. The 25-year-old’s achievements on the tennis court have contributed to her projected $20 million net worth, which reflects her success in both the sport and the money. Meanwhile, world number one has an estimated net worth of $25 million, making her one of the wealthiest athletes in the industry, because of which she is one of the world’s highest-paid female athletes.

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Furthermore, the Polish tennis star, who is celebrating her 101st week as the world’s top player, has a chance to win her maiden Madrid trophy, but for that, she has to play against world number 2. The forthcoming Madrid Open final between Swiatek and Sabalenka will reportedly be their third meeting as World No. 1 and No. 2 on clay courts, a feat previously accomplished by only Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert in the last four decades.

In addition, Swiatek and Sabalenka’s matchup is unique and significant because Navratilova and Evert met each other four times in similar conditions. Like all other matches, the Madrid Open 2024 final will be held at La Caja Mágica in Manzanares Park, San Fermín. With space for over 12,500 spectators, this stadium is an amazing location for the tennis tournament’s championship match.

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Subsequently, both of them, in their own way, are ready to go against each other, with their tactics ready to claim the title.

Aryna Sabalenka and Swiatek’s talk about the Madrid Open clash 

In a press conference, the Australian Open 2024 champion said, “But the main strategy for me is just to focus on myself and to stay aggressive and just trust my shots, and that’s it.” She acknowledged that she needed to improve, but she also highlighted how well she played against the world’s best player in last year’s final. It was, in her words, “the best match I ever played, especially on clay court.”

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On the other hand, Swiatek talked about her plans to go against the 25-year-old. She stated, “So it’s not like we need to change a lot…but we need to stick to the plan and I need to implement it a little bit better.” Moreover, there is a persistent belief amongst the four-time Grand Slam champion that she hasn’t yet displayed her finest game against Sabalenka.

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Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on the final showdown? Do let us know in the comment section below.

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Pratishtha Prakash

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Pratishtha Prakash, tennis writer and resident analyst at EssentiallySports isn't just a sports journalist; she's a storyteller who found her true calling in tennis content. It is something she seamlessly integrates into both her professional and personal realms. Having professional certifications in content and digital marketing, Pratishtha has made it a habit to hone her skills as a quality journalist.
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Ananya Giri