Rod Laver makes prediction about Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka after their Australian Open final

Follow us on Google Discover

Elena Rybakina is a Grand Slam champion once again.

Four years after she won her first Grand Slam at Wimbledon, Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka to win the 2026 Australian Open.

Their clash on Rod Laver Arena was entertaining from the first point to the last, as the Kazakh and Belarusian delivered another thrilling installment of their rivalry.

After the match, the man after whom the arena was named, Rod Laver, congratulated both players and shared his prediction about Sabalenka and Rybakina.

Rod Laver predicts Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will both win more Australian Open titles

On X, Laver shared his thoughts on the 2026 Australian Open women’s singles final.

“Congratulations to Elena Rybakina on her first Australian Open crown, a well-deserved achievement after a dominant summer,” said Laver.

“Bravo!

“More AO [Australian Open] trophies surely lie ahead for both you and Aryna Sabalenka.”

Laver believes both players will win more Australian Open titles before the end of their careers, but where do they rank among ‘active’ WTA stars?

‘Active’ Australian Open women’s singles champions

Another title for the world number one would see her become the most successful active women’s player at the event, while a second for Rybakina would move her level with Naomi Osaka, Victoria Azarenka, and Sabalenka.

With their effective, hard-hitting games, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise to see either player return to the Australian Open final next year.

Will Elena Rybakina win more Grand Slams than Aryna Sabalenka?

Beating Sabalenka in the Australian Open final, Rybakina doubled her Grand Slam tally.

She now sits on two, behind Sabalenka on four.

But who will have the most Grand Slams by the time they both hang up their rackets?

Well, it’s hard to bet against Sabalenka for one simple reason.

A quick glance at her recent Grand Slam record tells you all you need to know.

Aryna Sabalenka at Grand Slams since 2023

• Winner – 4
• Finalist – 4
• Semifinalist – 3
• Quarterfinalist – 1

She hasn’t lost before the quarterfinals of a major since May 2022, at the French Open.

When Sabalenka turns up at a Grand Slam, she books her hotel for two weeks!

While she has lost three of her last four major finals, it’s surely just a matter of time before she starts adding to her Grand Slam tally.

But there is a potential roadblock.

That roadblock’s name is Rybakina.

The Kazakh has beaten Sabalenka in two big matches, the 2025 WTA Finals final and the 2026 Australian Open final, in a matter of months.

In doing so, she closed the gap in their head-to-head to 6-7.

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

If Rybakina keeps finding ways to beat Sabalenka at the latter stages of the biggest tournaments on tour, then the Belarusian may struggle to win any more Grand Slams.

Only time will tell what the future holds for both players, but it will certainly be interesting to see what happens in 2026.

Sabalenka and Rybakina will have their next shot at Grand Slam glory at the French Open, which begins on Sunday, May 24.