Aryna Sabalenka fell just short on Rod Laver Arena…
She dropped the opening set 6-4, but responded by taking the second by the same scoreline, setting up a decider in the Australian Open final.
Sabalenka then jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the third, but Rybakina clawed her way back into it, continuing to impress in their rematch of last year’s final.
Rybakina came out on top this time with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win, clinching her second major title. Following the loss, Sabalenka gave her runners-up speech at Melbourne Park.
Sabalenka praises Rybakina and sets sights on 2027
“I am really speechless right now,” said Sabalenka.
“I will try not to forget anything.
“I want to start with Elena [Rybakina]. I will congratulate her on an incredible run, incredible tennis.
“Congrats to you and your team on such an incredible achievement.”
She continued to thank the fans and her team, as she looked ahead to the 2027 Australian Open.
“Of course, thank you to everyone who makes this tournament possible,” said Sabalenka.
“I love being here and playing in front of you all. You guys are incredible supporters. I always look forward to coming and playing in front of you, and let’s hope maybe next year will be a better year for me!
“Thank you to my team for always being there, for enjoying me losing finals, but also sometimes to win them, so let’s hope for the best.
“Let’s hope next year that it’s going to be ours!”
Where Aryna Sabalenka is struggling in Grand Slam Finals
The Belarusian has won four Grand Slam titles, but even with those accomplishments, her record in major finals hasn’t quite matched her dominance elsewhere on tour.
Despite regularly contending at the top of the sport and piling up titles outside of majors, Sabalenka hasn’t always delivered when the stakes are highest.
She’s now dropped three of her last four finals at this level.
If she hopes to cement her place among the legends of women’s tennis, that trend will need to change sooner rather than later.
There’s another storyline emerging alongside it as well. Her record against Elena Rybakina is starting to become an issue.
She has now lost three of her last four meetings with Rybakina, including two significant finals: the 2025 WTA Finals and now again at Melbourne Park in 2026.
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