Elena Rybakina has emphatically declared that her unwavering self-belief never faltered, even during challenging periods, as she secured her second grand slam title with a hard-fought victory over world number one Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open. The fifth seed triumphed 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in a captivating final in Melbourne, demonstrating remarkable resilience and composure under pressure.
A Testament to Perseverance and Team Support
Rybakina, who previously won Wimbledon in 2022, reflected on the journey back to the pinnacle of the sport. "I always believed that I can come back to the level I was," she stated. "We all have ups and downs. Like everyone, I thought maybe I will never be again in the final or even get a trophy, but it's all about the work."
The champion highlighted the crucial role of her support team in maintaining positivity during less confident moments. "We've been putting a lot of work in with the team and they were also very supportive. In the moments when I was maybe not that positive, they would be helping out on the side," Rybakina explained.
Confidence Built Through Significant Victories
She emphasised how defeating top-tier opponents has been instrumental in bolstering her confidence. "When you getting big wins against top players, then you start to believe more, you get more confident," Rybakina noted, underscoring the psychological transformation that accompanies such achievements.
Arriving in Melbourne as the in-form player following her triumph at the WTA Finals last November, Rybakina's preparation and mental fortitude proved decisive in this latest success.
Downplaying the Significance of Coach's Trophy
Last year, Rybakina's coach, Stefano Vukov, was suspended from the tour during the Australian Open due to alleged verbally abusive behaviour towards her. His suspension was lifted on appeal in August, and this year, Vukov received a trophy on-court in recognition of his work with Rybakina.
However, the champion played down the moment's significance. "I didn't think anything in particular, because we won many titles together, and even last year in Ningbo, WTA Finals, and now this trophy I felt just, again, proud and thankful to my team for the work," she said.
Rybakina expressed hope that this victory would set a positive tone for the entire season. "We did good preparation. We had some ups and downs during the pre-season, even beginning of this year, first tournament. I'm just super glad. It's a win for all the team, all the people who support me. I just hope I can carry this moment throughout the whole season and keep on improving."
Sabalenka's Frustration After Another Major Final Defeat
For Aryna Sabalenka, the loss marks another frustrating setback in a major final, bringing her record in such matches to 4-4. Despite the disappointment, she handled the defeat with greater composure than after her loss to Coco Gauff at the French Open final.
"I was really upset with myself because, once again, I had opportunities. I played great until a certain point, and then I couldn't resist that aggression that she had," Sabalenka admitted.
She acknowledged Rybakina's superior performance on the day. "But I played great tennis here. Even in this final I feel like I played great. I was fighting. I did my best and today she was a better player."
Humorous Take on Team Debriefing
Sabalenka revealed that her team is currently keeping their distance. "We'll speak with the team. Now they try to avoid and escape me because they see that it's not really healthy to be around me right now," she said with a touch of humour.
When asked about scheduling a debrief, Sabalenka jokingly queried her hitting partner, Andrei Vasilevski, on timing. Upon his suggestion to meet that day, she laughed and replied, "When? Today? Oh, fuck you, no." She added, "Maybe in a week. Or maybe in few days. Whenever I feel like: 'OK, I can move on from this one.'"
This victory solidifies Elena Rybakina's position among tennis's elite, showcasing her mental strength and dedication, while Aryna Sabalenka's response highlights the ongoing challenges of competing at the highest level.
