Aryna Sabalenka has been through emotional highs and lows and the Australian Open made it evident. The two-time defending champion faced a dramatic loss in the 2025 Australian Open final against Madison Keys. In the tightly contested match, Keys emerged victorious by 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, securing her first Grand Slam title. Sabalenka was visibly devastated from the loss and expressed it by smashing her racket and covering her face with the towel appearing to be crying. Her actions drew criticism, but was she really at fault? Serena Williams Ex coach and Andrea Petkovic think otherwise.

Sabalenka entered the tournament with a 20-match winning streak at the Australian Open and was on the brink of making history. The victory in the final would have made her the first woman since Martina Hingis to secure three consecutive Australian Open titles. Reflecting on her actions in the final, Sabalenka admitted her frustration, saying, “I was so close to achieving something crazy,” adding that throwing her racket was an emotional release. Her emotions drew criticism, with many questioning her sportsmanship.

The controversy surrounding Aryna Sabalenka’s emotional outburst sparked a broader debate, with notable figures weighing in on the Belarusian’s actions. In the latest episode of The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Andrea Petkovic joined Serena Williams’s ex-coach Rennae Stubbs in discussing the incident. Petkovic defended Sabalenka, stating, “You live and die by your sword that you swing. And if we love Sabalenka for the emotions she displays, we have to take the bad emotions with it. We can’t have all the funny dances and warrior in her without having the other part of it as well, and that’s why there is the same argument I think I make.”

She emphasized that players’ raw emotions are part of what makes them relatable to normal people, urging critics to appreciate the entire spectrum of athletes’ journey. “We can’t sh*t on the players for everything. If we shit on them for one thing, we have to take it and run with it if they tried to change it”. Petkovic also extended her support to Alexander Zverev in the argument stating that it’s unfair for people to criticize the players after the loss.

Sabalenka’s outburst symbolized the immense pressure and stakes of competing at such a high level. While the debate over her actions remains divisive, it also shows the intensity and passion that drives the world’s best players. Her journey in Melbourne was a reminder of the fine line between glory and heartbreak in elite sports like tennis.

Aryna Sabalenka holds on to the No. 1 Spot

Aryna Sabalenka has managed to retain her position as the world’s No. 1, despite the loss in the final. Reaching the final ensured she stayed ahead of Iga Swiatek, who fell in the semifinals and remains at No. 2. Sabalenka’s ability to defend her ranking, even after dropping 2000 points from her Australian Open triumph last year, highlights her resilience under pressure. However, the slim margin of just 186 points between her and Swiatek hints at the potentially fierce rivalry for the top spot throughout the season.

Currently, in her 23rd week as the WTA’s top-ranked player, Sabalenka is now 18th on the all-time list for most weeks at No. 1, with Naomi Osaka closer to her with 25 weeks. Meanwhile, Madison Keys’s historic victory in Melbourne propelled her seven spots to a career-high ranking of No. 7. This marks Keys’s return to the Top 10 for the first time since 2023 and her highest ranking since 2019. This Grand Slam success earned her those 2000 points.

Coco Gauff lost in the quarterfinal at Melbourne Park, but she remains comfortable third in the rankings with Jasmine Paolini more than 1000 points behind in fourth. Elena Rybakina is also back in the top five spot. Paula Badosa reached the semifinal in Melbourne and is back in the Top 10 for the first time since 2022, while Barbara Krejcikova is down to five places to No. 14, after missing hard court Major.

As Sabalenka’s reign continues, her rivalry with Swiatek promises to keep the spotlight on the WTA rankings. Madison Keys’ resurgence adds further intrigue to the women’s tennis landscape. It looks like we are going to have a thrilling season ahead. Sabalenka’s determination to maintain the top spot, despite Australian Open heartbreak, makes her one of the premier competitors in the sport.