Aryna Sabalenka‘s season-opening outing wasn’t the one she hoped for but, it’s what she had to settle with. American Madison Keys outclassed her in the summit clash of the Australian Open. She showcased impressive athleticism with a three-set thriller for fans, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, at the Rod Laver Arena on Saturday, January 25. Sabalenka’s failed attempt at clinching a three-peat in Melbourne – a valiant effort to level Margaret Court‘s 1997-1999 record – suffered repercussions in the aftermath.

Keys stepped in the title decider to settle her previous record with the Belarusian at Melbourne Park. She reached the semifinals of AO nearly ten years ago aged 19 years old and again in 2022 but, couldn’t surpass those results. However, a change in mindset and gameplay helped her topple the double-defending champion, and when that happened, Sabalenka was the least happy in the arena.

Boiled with frustration over her performance and inability to outperform the American sensation, the World No. 1 candidly let go of embroiling emotions. Moments after shaking hands with the newest Melbourne champion, the Belarusian threw her racket in rage and walked off the court in what was an act to cool off and come back for the customary prize distribution ceremony.

Subsequently, the 26-year-old also reserved a few words to explain the reasons that drove her prompt behaviour at the Rod Laver Arena.

During a post-match presser, Sabalenka said: “The end… there was a bit of frustration because I was so close to achieve something crazy. When you’re out there, you’re just fighting, but it seems like everything going not the way you want to go and I just needed to throw those negative emotions at the end just so I could give a speech, not staying there being disrespectful. So, I was just trying to let it go and be a good person, be respectful.”

“…After tough losses, there is good wins so I’ll keep working and make sure that next time if I’ll be in this situation I’ll play definitely better,” she added. Regardless, Sabalenka accepted her misfortune like any other good sports person and later, even surprised her team with a hilarious reaction to the unfortunate loss in Melbourne.

Aryna Sabalenka jokes with her coaching team: ‘Really hate you’

The Rod Laver Arena changed tunes when American Madison Keys won the championship point against the two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka at Melbourne Park. After venting her frustration on the racket, she returned for the award distribution ceremony and hilariously addressed her team after being handed the 2025 Australian Open runner-up plate, prompting laughter from the audience.

The World No. 1 said during her on-court admission: “Should I say anything to my team? As always, that’s your fault, guys. I don’t want to see you for the next week. I really hate you. No, anyway, thank you so much for everything you’re doing for me, blah blah blah. I think we did our best, just Madison was doing incredible and I couldn’t do anything in this match.”

“Next time I play Madison, I will bring better tennis. Of course, sending love to my team. I love you even though we lost,” she added. For those unaware, Keys became the fifth American woman to emerge victorious at the Melbourne Slam and walked away with a tidy $2.2M paycheque for her efforts at the season-opening major.

Both players will next take to the court after recouping from their respective two-week campaigns.