Aryna Sabalenka has revealed that her furious racket smash after losing the Australian Open final was driven by frustration at being 'so close to achieving something crazy'. The world No.1 was beaten 6-3 2-6 7-5 by Madison Keys, ending her hopes of a third consecutive title at Melbourne Park.
Sabalenka, who had won 20 straight matches at the tournament, broke her racket in anger before crying into her towel and leaving Rod Laver Arena. She later returned to deliver a dignified speech during the trophy ceremony. In her post-match press conference, the Belarusian said she needed to release her negative emotions to avoid being disrespectful.
'I just needed to throw those negative emotions at the end just so I could give a speech, not stand there being disrespectful,' Sabalenka explained. 'I was just trying to let it go and be a good person, be respectful.' She added that she left the court to 'switch off' and compose herself before congratulating Keys.
Sabalenka was bidding to become the first woman since Martina Hingis in 1999 to complete a hat-trick of Australian Open titles. Fellow legends Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles also achieved the feat. Despite her disappointment, she acknowledged reaching three consecutive finals was 'something crazy'.
Asked if she was satisfied with reaching the final, Sabalenka said: 'At this point, yeah, I go for titles. But of course, I have to be proud of myself anyway with the final, three finals in the row. I hope that next year I'll come back as a better player, and I'll hold Daphne one more time.'
