Aryna Sabalenka believes she will have "big chances" to perform well on clay this season, if she can recapture the level from last year's Madrid Open final.

The Belarusian suffered a heartbreaking three-set defeat to Iga Swiatek in the showpiece last year, squandering three match points in the high-quality clash.

Sabalenka is chasing a third Madrid Open crown, looking to become just the second player, after Petra Kvitova, to claim a hat-trick of titles in the Spanish capital.

Despite suffering defeat 12 months ago, Sabalenka looks back fondly on that match, noting how recreating that kind of performance will benefit her this time around.

"That match was a blockbuster, and I really enjoyed playing," she said.

"It was very intense, very long. If I can play like that in every match on clay, I think I have big chances to perform well on the clay court season this year.

"That was an amazing match, even though I lost it. Nothing I can be upset with, to be honest. I did my best there, and she just outplayed me."

Six players have taken home the title in Madrid over the last 10 years

Who will take it home this year?@iga_swiatek @SabalenkaA @Ons_Jabeur @Petra_Kvitova @kikibertens @Simona_Halep | #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/peWNCFPbDg

— wta (@WTA) April 22, 2025

The three-time major winner is searching for her first title on clay since triumphing in Madrid in 2023.

Sabalenka arrives in Madrid on the back of losing the Stuttgart Open final to Jelena Ostapenko on Monday.

She bounced back from losing the Indian Wells final by winning in Miami, and she wants to bounce back from her latest defeat.

"It's tough losing finals, and I lost a couple of finals," she said.

"I cannot really accept those matches and those losses. Whenever you lose, you want to come back stronger, and it motivates you to work even harder.

"After the Indian Wells final, I was really upset. I knew I had to make another final and win the trophy. I was hungry after that loss."

She will begin her Madrid Open campaign against Anna Blinkova on Friday.