Elena Rybakina says what her ‘focus’ is now on after winning the Australian Open title

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Elena Rybakina is now a two-time Grand Slam champion.

In three sets, Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, to win the 2026 Australian Open.

The Kazakh was excellent on Rod Laver Arena, keeping a cool head in one of the biggest matches of her career.

But what’s next for the new world number three?

During an interview with Channel 9, Rybakina answered that very question.

Elena Rybakina is ‘hungry’ for more Grand Slam titles

“Our focus is on all the Grand Slams, all the big events,” she said.

“Wimbledon was an amazing big title, and of course, you want to win as much as possible, you get hungrier, more motivated.”

How many Grand Slam titles does Elena Rybakina win in her career?

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Rybakina has won five ‘big’ titles during her WTA Tour career.

Elena Rybakina’s ‘big’ titles

Having won the WTA Finals and Australian Open in the space of a few months, Rybakina has re-established herself as one of, if not the best, players in women’s tennis.

She hopes to carry that momentum throughout the 2026 season.

“It gives maybe kind of relief, also, and a lot of confidence for the rest of the season,” said Rybakina.

“Last year, I didn’t start that well. I qualified for the [WTA] Finals at the last moment, now it’s different.

“I hope I can carry all of this momentum, and hopefully do a good job with the team and continue this way throughout the year.”

Only time will tell what Rybakina can achieve in 2026…

‘There was a lot of emotions’ Elena Rybakina on beating Aryna Sabalenka

Rybakina shared her thoughts on the final and revealed what went wrong for her in the second set.

“In the second set, I think I was too nervous, and it was difficult to increase the level, and it didn’t go my way,” she said.

“It took a long time to come back to the match, I’m just glad that even being 0-3 down, I stayed there for each point, and I got some opportunities, and I took them, and then proud that I managed to finish the match.”

She then shared what she was thinking when trying to serve the match out at 5-6 in the final set.

“Heart rate definitely was beating too fast,” said Rybakina.

“Even if my face didn’t show it, inside there was a lot of emotions.

“Because, of course, it was an opportunity to close the match, and the serve, most of the time, is helping me, but, of course, when it’s such a moment, it was not easy.

“But I knew that I had the advantage in that moment, so I’m super happy.”

Rybakina was asked whether she and her team spent time devising a game plan to take down Sabalenka, given the number of times they’ve already played on the WTA Tour.

Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina’s head-to-head record

“I think the game plan is still important, because we are both very aggressive, but we have our strengths and weaknesses,” she said.

“I think I was following the tactics pretty well in the first set and even in the second, but Aryna [Sabalenka] is a very tough opponent, experienced.

“She changed some things throughout the match, so I had to adjust quicker, which I didn’t do in the second and the beginning of the third.

“But I’m happy, also with the help of my team, that I kind of went back to the match and managed to turn it around.”

Rybakina deserves plenty of credit for her performance against Sabalenka, and she can now enjoy the fruits of her labor.

She is next scheduled to appear at the 2026 Qatar Open, which begins on Monday, February 9.