Elena Rybakina Revels in Australian Open Victory and Top-Tier Return
The 26-year-old tennis star Elena Rybakina has cemented her status as a dominant force in the women's game by clinching her first Australian Open title. This triumph adds to the Wimbledon crown she secured in 2022 and propels her back to a career-high world number three ranking, a position she will officially reclaim on Monday.
A Hard-Fought Power Battle Down Under
In a gripping final held under the roof at Melbourne Park due to damp conditions, Rybakina overcame Aryna Sabalenka in a tense three-set encounter, winning 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. The match showcased Rybakina's resilience, as she battled back from a 3-0 deficit in the deciding set, landing heavy returns and maintaining composure to secure victory with her sixth ace.
This win marks Rybakina's 10th consecutive victory over a top-10 opponent, with three of those wins coming back-to-back at this tournament. Her path to the title included impressive victories over top players like Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula, culminating in the defeat of world number one Sabalenka.
Rybakina's Journey Back to the Top
Reflecting on her comeback, Rybakina expressed confidence in her ability to return to elite levels. "I always believed that I can come back to the level I was," she stated. "Of course, we all have ups and downs. I think everyone thought maybe I will never be again in the final or even get a trophy, but it's all about the work."
She credited her coaching team for their unwavering support during challenging periods, highlighting how their guidance helped her regain positivity and confidence. "In the moments when I was maybe not that positive, they would be helping out on the side," Rybakina added. "When you are getting some wins, big wins against top players, then you start to believe more, you get more confident."
Sabalenka's Continued Grand Slam Heartbreak
For Aryna Sabalenka, this loss represents another painful chapter in her recent grand slam finals history. Having won back-to-back Australian Open titles in 2023 and 2024, she has now suffered close defeats in the final for two consecutive years, including a loss to Madison Keys twelve months ago.
Sabalenka has lost five of her last nine finals, with notable setbacks against Coco Gauff at the French Open and Rybakina at the WTA Finals, despite claiming a US Open title in between. She has now lost half of her eight grand slam finals overall.
However, Sabalenka remains optimistic about her progress. "I take each loss individually," she explained. "Overall it was much better than last year, the two (slam) finals I lost. Level-wise and the decisions that I was making and the way that the mentality was throughout the whole match... I think overall I made a huge improvement on that."
Overcoming Off-Court Challenges
Rybakina's recent resurgence follows a period of off-court controversy involving her coach, Stefano Vukov. The Croatian faced allegations of abusive behaviour, resulting in a year's suspension by the WTA last season, which was later lifted on appeal in August. Rybakina has consistently defended Vukov throughout the ordeal.
Since his return to her coaching team, Rybakina's results have notably improved, culminating in victories at the WTA Finals last year and now the Australian Open. She praised her team after the win, saying, "We had a lot of things going on and I'm really glad we achieved this result."
With this Australian Open title, Elena Rybakina not only relishes her return to tennis' top table but also signals her intent to remain a formidable contender throughout the 2026 season and beyond.
