“Seeing my name next to those legends... it’s crazy”: Aryna Sabalenka reacts to Laureus honour in Madrid
WTAFriday, 24 April 2026 at 02:30
Aryna Sabalenka’s return to the Madrid Open has been framed by her recent recognition at the Laureus World Sports Awards, where she was named Sportswoman of the Year—an honour she described as “crazy” given the calibre of athletes across global sport.
Speaking in Madrid after her opening-round win, Sabalenka reflected on the emotional weight of that moment while beginning her clay-court campaign at one of her most successful tournaments. The world No. 1 opened with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Peyton Stearns, extending her winning streak to 13 matches following titles at Indian Wells and the Miami Open.
The three-time Madrid champion progressed through a demanding opener while continuing to recalibrate her rhythm on clay, a surface she had not yet played on this season. Despite having time to prepare between Miami and Madrid, Sabalenka pointed to natural adaptation challenges in competition, with phases of inconsistency reflecting the shift in conditions rather than any disruption to her build-up.
Sabalenka will next face 29th seed Jaqueline Cristian in the second round, with the early stages of the tournament offering a platform to stabilise her level on clay. Carrying a 13-match winning run into Madrid, her immediate focus remains on refining movement and timing as she builds toward the latter rounds.
Laureus recognition adds broader context to Sabalenka’s season
Sabalenka described the Laureus recognition as unexpected, placing emphasis on the broader significance of being acknowledged beyond tennis.
“That’s crazy. I was just thinking about how across every sport there are so many strong, powerful, inspiring women doing really amazing things and I didn’t expect that, to be honest,” the four-time Grand Slam champion said to Tennis Channel. “I’m super proud, super happy, super honored. Honestly, seeing my name next to those previous winners, next to those legends… it’s just crazy to believe.”
The event itself left a clear impression, particularly given the range of athletes present across disciplines. “That room was full of legends, full of hard workers, full of inspiring people,” Sabalenka added. “I got super emotional just from watching all of the stories. I was in tears the whole time.
"It was a very cool event for me to see and get inspired from the others. It was just like wow, what a night. I was speechless.”
The three-time Madrid Open champion also admitted that delivering her acceptance speech proved unexpectedly difficult, overwhelmed by the scale of the occasion.
“Did you see my speech? I went there thinking I wanted to say certain things, and then I got on stage and I looked at the people and I was like, ‘Oh my God, it’s like legends.’
I thought they wouldn’t be watching me, maybe chatting or something, but they were watching and listening. I forgot how to speak. I didn’t know what to say. I wanted to disappear straight after my speech, but it was me, it was totally me.”
Rhythm and adaptation remain key as Madrid campaign progresses
Sabalenka pointed to rhythm as the central issue in her 7-5, 6-3 opening win over Peyton Stearns, highlighting both physical and tactical adjustments still in progress as she adapts to clay conditions for the first time this year.
“I’d say the biggest challenge was to find my rhythm. My attitude was a little bit off, my body was a little bit off, but I’m just going to work a little bit extra and hopefully in the next round I’ll bring better tennis. I definitely want to improve my movement, find a better rhythm on my serve and the return. I just want to find my game and be in a better rhythm.”
That process is closely linked to the short turnaround from the hard-court swing, where her 13-match winning run placed additional demands on both preparation and recovery heading into Madrid.
“That was actually not that fun. It was a lot of hard work,” the Belarusian added. “I did a couple of things for my brands and it was work on and off the court, not much free time. They didn’t give me much time off. I was back on court straight after I felt my body was ready, which wasn’t as long as I thought it was going to be. So yeah, it was very tough, a few weeks. It wasn’t easy.”
Despite the external recognition and recent results, Sabalenka reiterated that her focus remains internal rather than ranking-driven, a mindset that has underpinned her consistency across surfaces. “I never think about just staying there. I’ve never been focused on the ranking."
"I always try to improve my game and to be better in things that I know can hurt me on court. As long as you’re focusing on the right things, it’s tough, but it’s not overwhelming. We always try to bring the focus on the right targets and so far it’s been really good. I can’t complain.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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