Aryna Sabalenka will be searching for a 20th career title at this year’s Madrid Open.
The world number one has enjoyed a strong start to her 2025 WTA Tour campaign, winning two titles during the early months of the season.
Sabalenka’s Miami Open victory was her biggest of the season, as she took down America’s Jessica Pegula in the final, 7-5, 6-2.
Transitioning onto clay courts, Sabalenka lost the Stuttgart final to Jelena Ostapenko, 4-6, 1-6.
Ahead of her return to WTA 1000 action at the Madrid Open, Sabalenka has shared her thoughts on one of tennis’ most topical issues.
Aryna Sabalenka says she finds the sport’s doping rules ‘scary’ and agrees with Andrey Rublev
Speaking to the media ahead of her opening match at the Madrid Open, Sabalenka revealed what she has changed since several high-profile players received doping violations in 2024.
“Well, I mean, after like, last cases, honestly, I became more overprotective with stuff, she said.
“Even with the water, I wouldn’t drink it if I left the bottle of water open in the hotel or even here, and left for a few minutes and came back, I would take a new bottle.
“So I became ‘too concerned’ I would say, you have to be very careful with what you’re eating, honestly, it’s tricky.
“Everyone is aware of this stuff, everyone is trying to make sure nothing is touched and everything is clean and simple, and nothing can be in your food or drink, so yeah, it’s quite scary to be honest.
“The older you get, the more time you’re on tour, you’re getting overprotective with the stuff, making sure no one can touch your supplements or your water or your food, so it’s scary.”
The ATP Tour’s number one-ranked player, Jannik Sinner, is currently serving a three-month suspension from tennis after he tested positive for the banned substance Clostebol in 2024.
Sinner and his team maintain that a spray used to treat a cut on his physio’s finger contained Clostebol, and he accidentally contaminated the Italian when massaging him at Indian Wells last year.
One of Sabalenka’s biggest rivals, Iga Swiatek, also tested positive for a banned substance in 2024.
An investigation by the International Tennis Integrity Agency [ITIA] found that a regulated medicine she used had been contaminated with a banned substance, Trimetazidine.
Top ten ATP star Andrey Rublev shared his concerns about doping protocols recently, as he said the constant monitoring of players’ whereabouts stresses him out.
“It’s an issue that scares me,” he said.
“We have to write down in a schedule where we’ll be at every hour of the day. If you forget or aren’t there, it’s one of three mistakes. It’s not fair.
“This makes you live in a constant state of stress.”
Aryna Sabalenka assesses the conditions at the 2025 Madrid Open
Sabalenka will try to put those fears behind her as she prepares to fight for the title in Madrid.
The Belarusian star narrowly lost out in last year’s final to Swiatek in a three-set thriller, which many described as ‘Match of the Year’.
Sabalenka assessed the Madrid Open conditions during her pre-tournament press conference.
“The conditions are obviously a bit different, you have to adjust a little bit because of the altitude,” she said.
The 27-year-old also explained just how much she enjoys playing in Spain, thanks to the enormity of the Manolo Santana Stadium.
“Honestly, this stadium feels so different because it’s so big,” said Sabalenka.
“When you step onto Center Court you feel like ‘Oh my god, this is huge’, it feels like a soccer stadium and I love it.
“When it’s full, it’s so enjoyable to play, so it’s like extra motivation for me to get to the last stages just so the stadium can get full and you can enjoy the whole atmosphere.”
Sabalenka is a two-time champion in Madrid, having lifted the trophy high in Manolo Santana Stadium in 2021 and 2023.
The world number one would no doubt love to add a third title to her resume in 2025, and will begin her Madrid Open campaign on Friday, April 25, when she takes on Anna Blinkova.
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