In the aftermath of her defeat to Madison Keys in the 2025 Australian Open final, Aryna Sabalenka faced sharp criticism from tennis commentators over her emotional reaction. The world No. 1 suffered a heartbreaking 3-6, 6-2, 5-7 loss as Keys captured her first-ever Grand Slam title in a thrilling three-set battle.
Sabalenka had been aiming for a third consecutive Australian Open victory, and her loss not only ended her 20-match winning streak at Melbourne Park but also halted her incredible run at hard-court Grand Slams, which had included both the Australian and US Open titles in 2024.
As Keys sealed her triumph with a stunning forehand winner on her second championship point, Sabalenka’s frustration became evident. While she briefly embraced the champion and offered her congratulations, she soon let her emotions get the better of her, smashing her racket against the chair and covering her head with a towel in disappointment. She then exited the court, visibly upset.
Commentators Jo Durie and Naomi Cavaday, who were analyzing the match for Eurosport, didn’t hold back their thoughts on Sabalenka’s reaction. Durie, a former world No. 5, voiced her disappointment, emphasizing that while Sabalenka’s emotions were understandable given the stakes, it was unfortunate to see her behavior detract from Keys’ moment of glory.
“Well, it’s a shame to see that from Sabalenka,” Durie remarked. “Madison played with incredible belief, and she stayed true to her game plan. She went for it, and it paid off. I think Sabalenka’s actions take something away from that achievement. It’s tough to lose, especially with so much on the line, but it could’ve been handled differently.”
Cavaday added her thoughts, acknowledging the emotional weight of the situation: “It’s disappointing to see that kind of reaction from Sabalenka. She’s had enough experience and success to know how to handle these moments. But I guess this shows how much it meant to her, chasing that third consecutive win. It’s just unfortunate it overshadowed what was a fantastic win for Madison Keys.”
Despite the outburst, Sabalenka later displayed grace during the trophy presentation, turning her focus to praise Keys for her impressive performance. In a heartfelt speech, she addressed the crowd and the new champion with class.
“It’s OK, I hope I see you next year (looking at the champion’s trophy)!” Sabalenka began with a smile, her tone warm despite the loss. “Madison, wow. What a tournament. You’ve been fighting so hard to earn this trophy, and your tennis tonight was unreal. You crushed it.”
She continued, offering well-deserved congratulations: “Congrats to you and your team. It’s truly well-deserved. Enjoy the celebrations and the fun part!”
The Belarusian also took a moment to thank the tournament organizers, speaking gratefully about her experience in Melbourne: “I want to thank everyone who made this tournament happen. I always feel at home here, and even though I didn’t win this time, I’ll come back stronger next year. The atmosphere here is incredible, and you all made my stay so comfortable.”
Sabalenka’s words in the aftermath of the match showed both sportsmanship and humility, even as she processed the disappointment of falling short in her pursuit of a third consecutive Australian Open title. The respect between the players was clear, even as the emotional tension of the final moments lingered in the air.