Aryna Sabalenka lost out in the final of the 2024
Madrid Open and was defeated by Iga Swiatek who sealed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 win in one of the best
WTA finals in a long-time and certainly the longest. But Sabalenka who turns 26 on Sunday said that it was a double whammy of pain jokingly.
Sabalenka had match points about Swiatek which makes it even more of a bitter pill to swallow as she failed to regain the Madrid Open title for a third time. But there is still a sense of pride despite the gutting defeat.
“I think it's tougher, especially remembering all your thoughts on all your match points and the way you played. It was just, like, too close. I think it's tougher. But for me, you know, 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," said Sabalenka.
"Anyway, I'm going to be in a good mood. I am 26 tomorrow. It sucks. But it's a tough one. You know, it's a tough one to accept. But at the same time, it's not like you lost the match easily and you didn't do your best. I think I gave my all today, and I just can be proud of myself, and hopefully, like we spoke on the court, next year it goes to my side (smiling).”
