Latest news with #PorscheGrandPrix
Gulf News
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Gulf News
Aryna Sabalenka's luxury problem: What's forcing her to buy a new car
After her fourth final defeat at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, the Belarusian joked that there's only one way left for her to get behind the wheel of the tournament's iconic prize: buy it. 'I'm glad I can afford this car,' Sabalenka grinned after losing to Jelena Ostapenko in Sunday's final. 'After this final, we're gonna order one — because I guess this is the only way for me!' The Stuttgart event, also known as the Porsche Grand Prix, awards its champion with a gleaming £97,000 electric Porsche Macan Turbo. Sabalenka has now reached the final four times — and left empty-handed each time. Between 2021 and 2023, she lost three straight finals to world No 1s. This year, she was the world No 1, and figured it was finally her turn. But Ostapenko had other plans. Porsche pursuit turns personal The Porsche had become something of a personal mission for Sabalenka — part trophy, part grudge match, part dream car. 'I lost three finals here against No. 1s,' she said before the tournament. 'So I was like, 'OK, I have to do it. I have to come back here as the world No. 1'. I want to finally win the Porsche this year.' Instead, she watched another player drive off in it again — and delivered the most expensive joke of the tournament. But now that she's finally (sort of) accepted her Stuttgart fate, Sabalenka's ready to swap heartbreak for horsepower. She might not have won the Macan on court — but she's still planning to make it hers. Next stop: Madrid magic Still, there's bigger clay to conquer. Sabalenka now turns her focus to the Madrid Open, where she's a two-time champion and one of the favourites to go all the way again. Last year, she pushed Iga Swiatek to the edge in a three-hour epic that was named WTA Match of the Year. This time, she's hoping to finish the job. Blockbuster match 'That match was a blockbuster,' she said. 'If I can play like that on clay again, I think I have big chances.' She'll open against either Anna Blinkova or Panna Udvardy in round two — and will do so under a new spotlight: Madrid has introduced live electronic line-calling on clay for the first time. 'I prefer Hawk-Eye,' she shrugged. 'Sometimes referees are too weak to admit they made a mistake.'
Forbes
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Jelena Ostapenko Stuns Aryna Sabalenka To Win Stuttgart Final
STUTTGART, GERMANY - APRIL 21: Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia poses with the champions trophy after ... More defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the singles final of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. (Photo by) Unseeded Latvian Jelena Ostapenko won her first clay-court title in nearly eight years after a shock 6-4, 6-1 victory over World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in Monday's Porsche Grand Prix final in Stuttgart. Ostapenko, who last won a title on clay by clinching the 2017 French Open crown, also recorded her first-ever win over Sabalenka in four meetings. With the victory, the Latvian jumped six places to No. 18 in the WTA rankings. 'I'm really, really happy with my performance in general this week,' Ostapenko said. "I was ready to play every single player because the draw here is so small. You have to be ready for the best, and I did that. 'I think the game was already very good but I have been working on my mental stuff. I understand what I have to do now. I believe in myself.' Ostapenko defeated two seeded players on her way to the finale, knocking out seventh-seeded Emma Navarro in three sets in the round of 16 and second-seeded clay-court specialist Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals. She then capped off a memorable week in Stuttgart by beating Sabalenka in straight sets for her first singles title of the year, and ninth overall. "Honestly, I didn't tell to anyone, I was keeping it to myself, but I felt very confident since the first day," Ostapenko told reporters. "I had, like, strange -- not strange but in a good way, strange feeling. 'When I came here, I felt like something is going to happen this week. I pretty much felt that I can win this tournament. Because I think I'm improving day by day and I'm playing better and better. Yeah, I think I deserve it." The 27-year-old Ostapenko showed fierce baseline power and broke top-ranked Sabalenka six times during the match, including twice in the first set, as the Belarusian struggled with her first serve throughout. Three-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka has now lost four Stuttgart finals in the past five seasons. "I'm sure you hate me now because you wanted this car so badly, but I'm sure you'll get it another time," Ostapenko said about Porsche, the luxury car that tournament winners receive as a bonus prize. Ostapenko will add a second Porsche to the Cayenne Turbo she already drives at home.
NBC Sports
21-04-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Ostapenko stuns world No. 1 Sabalenka to win Porsche Grand Prix
STUTTGART, Germany — Jelena Ostapenko upset No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-1 in the Porsche Grand Prix final on Monday. Ostapenko beat Sabalenka for the first time in four meetings to win her first clay-court title since the 2017 French Open. She also beat world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals in her run to her ninth career title. 'I'm really, really happy with my performance in general this week,' Ostapenko said. 'I was ready to play every single player, because the draw here is so small. You have to be ready for the best, and I did that. 'I think the game was already very good but I have been working on my mental stuff. I understand what I have to do now. I believe in myself.' The Latvian broke Sabalenka six times, twice in the first set. In the second set, Sabalenka won just 10 points and only five on serve. Powering to victory, Ostapenko concluded with an emphatic forehand return of serve. Sabalenka has lost four Stuttgart finals. 'Great week, great tournament,' she said. 'Not for me every year, not for me, but maybe next year.'
Japan Today
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Japan Today
Ostapenko stuns world No. 1 Sabalenka to win Porsche Grand Prix
Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko celebrates after her victory against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka during the women's singles final tennis match of the WTA tour, in Stuttgart, Germany, Monday, April 21, 2025. (Marijan Murat/dpa via AP) tennis Jelena Ostapenko upset No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-1 in the Porsche Grand Prix final on Monday. Ostapenko beat Sabalenka for the first time in four meetings to win her first clay-court title since the 2017 French Open. She also beat world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals in her run to her ninth career title. 'I'm really, really happy with my performance in general this week,' Ostapenko said. "I was ready to play every single player, because the draw here is so small. You have to be ready for the best, and I did that. 'I think the game was already very good but I have been working on my mental stuff. I understand what I have to do now. I believe in myself.' The Latvian broke Sabalenka six times, twice in the first set. In the second set, Sabalenka won just 10 points and only five on serve. Powering to victory, Ostapenko concluded with an emphatic forehand return of serve. Sabalenka has lost four Stuttgart finals. 'Great week, great tournament,' she said. 'Not for me every year, not for me, but maybe next year.' © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Fox Sports
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Ostapenko stuns world No. 1 Sabalenka to win Porsche Grand Prix
Associated Press STUTTGART, Germany (AP) — Jelena Ostapenko upset No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-1 in the Porsche Grand Prix final on Monday. Ostapenko beat Sabalenka for the first time in four meetings to win her first clay-court title since the 2017 French Open. She also beat world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals in her run to her ninth career title. 'I'm really, really happy with my performance in general this week,' Ostapenko said. "I was ready to play every single player, because the draw here is so small. You have to be ready for the best, and I did that. 'I think the game was already very good but I have been working on my mental stuff. I understand what I have to do now. I believe in myself.' The Latvian broke Sabalenka six times, twice in the first set. In the second set, Sabalenka won just 10 points and only five on serve. Powering to victory, Ostapenko concluded with an emphatic forehand return of serve. Sabalenka has lost four Stuttgart finals. 'Great week, great tournament,' she said. 'Not for me every year, not for me, but maybe next year.' ___ AP tennis: in this topic
