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via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Women’s Singles Final – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 28, 2023 Belarus? Aryna Sabalenka celebrates with the trophy after winning her final match against Kazakhstan?s Elena Rybakina REUTERS/Loren Elliott TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-01-28T121115Z_2056479077_UP1EJ1S0WH7B7_RTRMADP_3_TENNIS-AUSOPEN.jpg)
via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Women’s Singles Final – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 28, 2023 Belarus? Aryna Sabalenka celebrates with the trophy after winning her final match against Kazakhstan?s Elena Rybakina REUTERS/Loren Elliott TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Time changes everything. There was a time when the Belarusian beauty, Aryna Sabalenka, was booed at the same court where she scripted history. Back in 2018, Sabalenka made her first appearance at the Majors in Melbourne; though under very contrasting circumstances. Back then the World No.5 was treated unfairly by the Australian Open crowd during her game with Ashleigh Barty.
And now, five years later, at the same court, the situation is polar opposite. Now Sabalenka is a seasoned tennis player, with a great serve and a strong game play; And the efficient combination of the above helped the Belarusian tennis star win her First Major trophy. Same place, same tournament, battle for same trophy, same player but different opponent; And today, Sabalenka stands at the top, with the Australian Open trophy.
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And in response to the two contrasting times, tennis fans took to Twitter in support of Sabalenka.
Tennis fans bash the Australian Open crowd for their rude behavior against the Aryna Sabalenka
As Aryna Sabalenka claimed, her first Grand Slam, the famous tennis Author, Ben Rothenberg, took to Twitter, to highlight the divergent incidents.
He Tweeted, “Five years ago, Aryna Sabalenka played on the biggest stage of a Slam for the first time at the 2018 #AusOpen. On that big moment she’d dreamed of, the crowd inside Rod Laver Arena cruelly mocked her. Today, Sabalenka laughs last and hoists the trophy there.”
This certainly bothered tennis fans, as they responded to the tweet in favor of Sabalenka, and bashing the crowd at Melbourne.
One tennis fan Tweeted, “Disgusting behavior by the Australian crowd Well don’t aryna Sabalenka in holding your nerve and playing first strike tennis … 2023 @AustralianOpen”
Disgusting behaviour by the Australian crowd
Well don’t aryna Sabalenka in holding your nerve and playing first strike tennis 👏👏👏 2023@AustralianOpen https://t.co/L2NfbLEfps— BrianJalus (@BJalus) January 28, 2023
She laughed last 😃 https://t.co/nWB0yf3mDJ
— DEE OF LAGOS (@DRealDee2) January 28, 2023
OMG THE BOO-ING https://t.co/vV78FY28sp
— silas (@silasofficial_) January 28, 2023
This vid has so many views on YouTube aswell https://t.co/bCGODnoUwD
— . (@yampapii) January 28, 2023
And some tennis fans appreciated, the World No.5’s grit, and Said, “that’s my queen…” and “Today she is the Rod Lover’s queen!”
that’s my queen 💗 https://t.co/kJvCUUCXuY
— momo ✧・゚: * ✧ ARYNA GS CHAMPION (@stargirlgaga) January 28, 2023
Today she is the Rod Lover’s queen! https://t.co/NseFBu5nUh
— sabalenker 🏆 #AO 🎾 (@LadyVelaryon___) January 28, 2023
While one tennis fan mentioned another similar undesirable incident.
she’s never had the crowd on her side the US Open in 2021 was like this too but she’s come through it i’m so proud of her ♥️ https://t.co/xaY6bmdwg1
— ᴊᴀᴍɪᴇ 🇳🇱 (@liekeleclerc) January 28, 2023
For those who support clowns in the crowd. Sabalenka is a deserved champion. https://t.co/LBU6hSNNZZ
— Mark O'Sullivan (@osullysport) January 28, 2023
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She took that personally 👑 https://t.co/Iyu80iV74b
— Kamil Gut (@GutKamiI) January 28, 2023
Certainly, Sabalenka gave a befitting reply to the crowd with her game. As she got better of the Kazakh’s Elena Rybakina, in a 3 set thriller. Consequently, tennis stars and fans alike, took to Twitter to celebrate her victory.
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Did you watch Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina’s match? Which was your favorite moment? Do let us know in the comments!