Aryna Sabalenka joked about her misfortune at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix after losing to Jelena Ostapenko in her latest attempts to win the exclusive prize. The tournament, who is also known as the Stuttgart Open, hands its winner a £97,000 electric Porsche.

Sabalenka has now played in four finals at the event without winning. She was also the runner-up for three consecutive years between 2021 and 2023. The world No. 1 quipped that the only way she is able to get her hands on Porsche’s Macan Turbo Electric is by buying it, rather than by winning the tournament.

Speaking on court, Sabalenka said: “I want to congratulate Jelena and her team on a great week. You played really great this week and you were a better player than me today. That’s just about it. Well done and enjoy driving this beautiful car! I’m glad I can afford this car. After this final, we’re gonna order one because I guess this is the only way for me!”

Sabalenka was desperate to finally get her hands on the car. She said ahead of the tournament: “I lost three finals here against No. 1s. So I was, like, ‘Okay 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.”

After a walkover against the injure, Anastasia Potapova, and then wins over Elise Mertens and Jasmine Paolini, Sabalenka might have believed this was finally her year. However, the 26-year-old will need to wait another 12 months if she is to win the car without spending any money.

Sabalenka was comfortably beaten by Ostapenko at the Porsche Arena. The Latvian triumphed 6-4 6-1 to claim the WTA 500 title for the first time.

Ostapenko joked afterwards: “Congrats Aryna on a great week. I think you hate me now because you wanted this car so badly! It’s great to share the court with you, you’re such a champion. Congrats to you and your team.”

Next up for both players is the WTA 1000 Madrid Open. Preparations are ramping up ahead of the second Grand Slam of the season, the French Open. That is closely followed by Wimbledon.

Sabalenka will hope to claim her first major of the year, having been beaten in the Australian Open final by Madison Keys.