MELBOURNE, Australia — Aryna Sabalenka displayed her frustration on the sideline after her quest for a third consecutive Australian Open title came to an end. Following a hard-fought match, she experienced a mix of emotions as she sat on her bench, a towel draped over her head. The final match against Madison Keys concluded with a score of 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, marking a disappointing moment for the world’s top-ranked player. Sabalenka briefly exited the court before the trophy presentation, reflecting the intensity of her disappointment.
“There was definitely some frustration because I was so close to accomplishing something quite remarkable,” said Sabalenka. “During the match, I was fighting hard, but it felt like things weren’t going in my favor.” She expressed her intentions to set aside those negative feelings, focusing on being respectful during her speech. “I was just trying to move on and remain gracious,” she added, emphasizing her desire to maintain composure in the challenging moment.
Having won 20 consecutive matches at Melbourne Park, she could have become the first woman since Martina Hingis in 1997-1999 to achieve three consecutive championships in Australia with another victory on Saturday. However, Sabalenka remained optimistic after her loss. “It’s alright. I recognize that from difficult losses, there come good wins,” she stated. “I’ll continue to work hard and ensure that I perform better the next time I find myself in this situation.”
The match was tightly contested, with Keys winning just one more point overall, 92-91. Both players tallied 29 winners, showcasing a high level of competition. Notably, there were no break points in the final set until the last game, demonstrating the evenly matched nature of the encounter. “She played incredibly aggressively, and it felt like everything was going her way in the beginning,” Sabalenka commented. “I was just trying to keep the ball in play.”
Entering the match with an impressive record of 11-0 in 2025, Sabalenka also had a favorable head-to-head record of 4-1 against Keys, an American player seeded 19th in the tournament. Their previous encounter had taken place in the semifinals of the U.S. Open two years ago, where Sabalenka emerged victorious.
“Aryna, you play unbelievably,” Keys acknowledged. “I’m thrilled to finally have this victory against you. You’re always such a tough competitor, and we consistently have the most intense matches. Congratulations to you and your team on another fantastic Grand Slam effort.”
Despite her strong performance throughout the tournament, Sabalenka left Australia without what would have been her fourth major championship. During her post-match speech, she lightheartedly joked with her team, saying, “As always, this is your fault, guys. I’m going to need a break from you for the next week. I really dislike you!” as laughter filled the air. She went on to thank her team for their hard work and support, highlighting the bond they share despite the day’s outcome.
