After 16 heats and a scintillating final phase, we now have a winner. Marta Gayoso is the girl’s champion of the Under-16 Mutua Madrid Open. She beat Vega Aguilar in a tight three-set battle that lasted over two hours.

Both players took to the court determined to conquer the Caja Magica and claim one of the biggest titles on the circuit. It is not every week they can compete on the same courts as the best players in the world.

Vega, the player from Castellon, was the quickest off the mark, and she made a statement by claiming the first set 3-6. The 15-year-old Gran Canaria native responded immediately and reeled off a 6-1 in set two. The 2025 champion would be decided in the third set, it could not have been tighter.

First though, let’s go back to the start of the tournament. Marta Gayoso was one game away from being knocked out in her last-sixteen match in the Caja Magica, but she eventually won it 7-6 in the decider after coming through some tough moments. She managed to win that match and would not drop another set en route to the final. For her part, Vega Aguilar reached the title bout without dropping a single set.

At one set apiece in the final, it would all be decided on the finer details and the Canary Islander did not put a foot wrong as she closed the match out 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. Marta’s excitement immediately after the match was evident: “Thank you so much, I’m really grateful for this experience, it’s been unforgettable. A tough match with Vega. I hope we’ll soon be in this tournament, but with the adults”. Let’s hope they are.

“This sport is generally very psychological and you have to handle the pressure from the fans, from the people… I managed to do that and I held on to win the match. The trophy is heavy, it’s pretty big”, she said with a smile.

Winning the title also comes with another prize, Marta will later be presented with her trophy by the women’s champion, she cannot wait for the moment, but does not mind who the winner is: “I’m so grateful that the champion will be giving me the trophy. I don’t really care who gives it to me, they’re both great players and great people. I support Sabalenka more because of her career and her mental strength, but may the best player win”.

In every final there is a loser, but Vega has plenty of reasons to feel proud: “I was quite sad at the end of the match, because I really wanted to win. Also, next year I can’t play because of my age and it really frustrated me. Now that a couple of hours have gone by, I’m better. I’ve been thinking about what I learned from the match and my coach has spoken to me. Now I’m fine. I wanted to win the final because I wanted Aryna to give me the trophy. I love her personality on court and the way she plays. I’m confident that if we work hard, we’ll meet Marta on the circuit”. The runner-up showed a maturity that belied her years, and defeats like this are, of course, a key part of the process.