Aryna Sabalenka has been a dominant force at the top of women’s tennis for quite some time now, holding onto the world No. 1 spot with impressive consistency. Yet, despite her undeniable success, she has yet to fully win over tennis fans globally. Her vibrant, playful personality shines on and off the court, but some critics argue that her aggressive, hard-hitting style of tennis lacks the finesse and appeal that many fans associate with the game’s elegance.
Another point of contention has been Sabalenka’s emotional on-court demeanor, particularly her loud grunts with every shot, which some find grating. Her behavior also came under scrutiny after a dramatic Australian Open final against Madison Keys, where she was accused of lacking class following a meltdown in the aftermath of her loss.
In a thrilling final that ended 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in Keys’ favor, Sabalenka was seen violently smashing her racket in frustration. The act drew sharp criticism from former British No. 1 Jo Durie, who felt it was unsportsmanlike. “It’s a shame she did that,” Durie commented. “I know she was aiming for a third title and emotions were running high, but it takes something away from the moment for Keys.”
Despite the outburst, Sabalenka showed grace during the trophy presentation, where she offered heartfelt congratulations to Keys. “There definitely was a bit of frustration because I was so close to achieving something crazy,” Sabalenka admitted. “I just needed to let those negative emotions out so I could give a speech and not stand there being disrespectful. I was trying to let it go and be a good person.”
Acknowledging the frustration of falling just short, Sabalenka said, “It’s OK. I mean, I know from tough losses that good wins follow. So I’ll keep working and make sure that next time, if I’m in this situation again, I’ll definitely play better.”
Though she was clearly disappointed, Sabalenka still found humor in the moment, joking that she “hated” her team and wouldn’t want to see them for a week. But amidst the disappointment, she was also proud of her achievements. “Of course, I have to be proud of myself with three finals in a row. That’s something crazy,” she reflected. “I hope next year I’ll come back as a better player and hold the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup once more.”
Sabalenka also recognized the significance of reaching multiple finals, stating, “When you get to the final, it’s trophy or nothing. Nobody remembers the finalist. I give her credit today. She played well, she was the better player, and she deserves it.”
In the face of defeat, Sabalenka was still able to acknowledge the bigger picture: “Overall, I’m super proud. To have won so many matches in a row at one Grand Slam is already something big. And when someone else achieves the same, they’ll say my name as the last player who did it. That’s already a huge accomplishment.”
Looking back, Sabalenka reflected on the journey, saying, “I couldn’t even dream, couldn’t even think about winning that many matches in a row at one Slam just a few years ago. There’s definitely something to be proud of, but also room for improvement. It’s a constant process—being proud of what you’ve done and then improving what didn’t work.”
Although Sabalenka was clearly struggling with her emotions, her post-match speech was composed and gracious. However, the simmering frustration was still palpable beneath the surface, understandable for a player of her caliber who holds herself to the highest of standards. Sabalenka, who had expected to win, especially after seeing Keys overcome her rival Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals, had to come to terms with the agony of losing on such a big stage.
Great champions are often their harshest critics, and Sabalenka’s emotional reaction to her defeat speaks volumes about her competitive drive. She is certainly not a player who enjoys losing, and that fire will likely fuel her pursuit of future titles.
Looking ahead, Sabalenka’s No. 1 ranking remains intact and will be officially confirmed when the updated WTA rankings are released on Monday. Meanwhile, Madison Keys, who secured the biggest win of her career, will see herself rise to No. 7 in the rankings. As for Sabalenka, she will undoubtedly continue to strive for greatness, knowing that the road to success is paved with both triumphs and setbacks.