‘Speechless’ Aryna Sabalenka’s first message to Elena Rybakina after losing to her in Australian Open final

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It wasn’t Aryna Sabalenka’s day on Rod Laver Arena…

After dropping the first set 6-4, Sabalenka won the second by the same margin to force a decider in the Australian Open final.

She led the third set 3-0, but was broken back, as Rybakina continued to impress in a rematch of their 2023 clash.

Eventually, Rybakina defeated Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, to win her second major title.

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

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Understandably devastated by the defeat, Sabalenka stepped up to deliver her Australian Open runners-up speech.

Aryna Sabalenka congratulates Elena Rybakina and looks ahead to 2027

“I am really speechless right now,” said Sabalenka.

“I will try not to forget anything.

“I want to start with Elena [Rybakina]. I will congratulate her on an incredible run, incredible tennis.

Elena Rybakina at the 2026 Australian Open

• 2026 Australian Open 1R [WIN] vs Kaja Juvan, 6-4, 6-3
• 2026 Australian Open 2R [WIN] vs Varvara Gracheva, 7-5, 6-2
• 2026 Australian Open 3R [WIN] vs Tereza Valentova, 6-2, 6-3
• 2026 Australian Open 4R [WIN] vs Elise Mertens, 6-1, 6-3
• 2026 Australian Open QF [WIN] vs Iga Swiatek, 7-5, 6-1
• 2026 Australian Open SF [WIN] vs Jessica Pegula, 6-3, 7-6
• 2026 Australian Open F [WIN] vs Aryna Sabalenka, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4

“Congrats to you and your team on such an incredible achievement.”

She continued to thank the fans and her team, as she looked ahead to the 2027 Australian Open.

“Of course, thank you to everyone who makes this tournament possible,” said Sabalenka.

“I love being here and playing in front of you all. You guys are incredible supporters. I always look forward to coming and playing in front of you, and let’s hope maybe next year will be a better year for me!

“Thank you to my team for always being there, for enjoying me losing finals, but also sometimes to win them, so let’s hope for the best.

“Let’s hope next year that it’s going to be ours!”

Sabalenka will be desperate to reclaim the Australian Open title when she returns in 12 months’ time.

What’s going wrong for Aryna Sabalenka in Grand Slam finals?

The Belarusian is a four-time Grand Slam champion, but it’s fair to say she’s underachieved at the major tournaments.

For all her dominance elsewhere on the WTA Tour, the Belarusian continues to falter on the biggest stages.

Aryna Sabalenka’s record in Grand Slam finals

She’s now lost three of her last four major finals.

If she wants to retire as one of the greats of women’s tennis, she’ll need to address that record fast.

There’s another record that’s beginning to haunt her, too.

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

She’s now lost three of her last four matches against Rybakina, including two ‘big’ finals (The 2025 WTA Finals and 2026 Australian Open).

Sabalenka will need to take back control of their head-to-head if she wants to return to winning ways at the Grand Slams.

Only time will tell what the future holds for Sabalenka, but there are certainly some interesting conversations to be had…