Aryna Sabalenka suffered one of the most heartbreaking losses of her career at the Australian Open.
The Belarusian was aiming to become the first woman since Martina Hingis in 1999 to win the first Grand Slam of the year on three successive occasions.
The World number one dropped just one set on the way to the championship match and she was the favourite to clinch the title.
But her opponent Madison Keys had other ideas as she produced arguably the best performance of her career. Keys sealed a famous 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 victory and ended Sabalenka’s 20-match win streak at the Australian Open.
Aryna Sabalenka explains how long it took to recover from losing the Australian Open final
Following her first defeat at the Australian Open since 2022 and narrowly missing out on making history, Aryna Sabalenka snapped.
After shaking Keys’ hand at the net Sabalenka smashed her racket, stormed off court and went back to the dressing room, before returning for the trophy presentation shortly after.
It is not often that top seed is matched with power and aggression, and Keys also produced her best tennis when it mattered most, something Sabalenka often does to her opponents.
The 27-year-old is now due to play at the Qatar Open, Sabalenka’s first event since her devastating defeat Down Under.
Ahead of her first match, Sabalenka says it took her at least a week to recover from losing in a tournament where she has been so dominant in recent years.
“This one was the toughest one. I think for a week I was still thinking about that match,” the Qatar Open top seed said. “Honestly, looking back and thinking about those two lost games [in the final set], I didn’t do anything wrong.
“She just played out of her mind, and it was her day – there’s nothing to regret. I think right now I’m fully recovered after that tough match.”
Aryna Sabalenka now turns her attention to the Qatar Open
Sabalenka is now preparing for the Qatar Open, a tournament she is trying to win for the first time since 2020. Her first opponent is a tricky one as she will take on the in-form Ekaterina Alexandrova.
The Russian booked her spot in this match by defeating Emma Raducanu in round one and in the process, avenged her first to the Brit at the Australian Open.
Sabalenka has won four of her seven matches against Alexandrova with the most recent meeting coming during Sabalenka’s 2024 US Open title run.
The rent Linz Open winner was the only player to take a set off Sabalenka in New York last season, and she will be up for the challenge once again.
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