Aryna Sabalenka’s ‘worst moment’ on court and why she thinks tennis needs to make a change
The world No.1 made the final of three grand slams last year and a semi-final at the other. But she’s determined to be better on and off the court in 2026.
Dual Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka believes players should not have to endure the entire on-court ceremony after losing a grand slam final.
The world No.1 was bidding last year to become just the sixth woman – and first since Martina Hingis in 1999 – to win three consecutive Australian Open titles, but lost a thrilling three-set decider to American Madison Keys.
Sabalenka’s devastation was obvious in the immediate aftermath as she obliterated her racquet before burying herself under a towel then walking off for a brief period to compose herself. She was back in time for the presentation, where Keys accepted her maiden grand slam trophy.
“I don’t understand [why] they keep the runner-up on court for all of that ceremony because it is the worst moment,” Sabalenka told this masthead.
“Of course, I would love to go out there to thank my opponent, to thank my team, say thank you to everyone, and just leave the court. I don’t want to be there. I need my time to cool down, to kind of switch off from what happened.
“The moment you step off court, you’re completely exhausted, and there are no emotions left. You feel like you better just disappear from this planet.”
Aryna Sabalenka on court last year with her runners-up plate alongside triumphant American Madison Keys.Credit: Getty Images
Sabalenka, 27, said afterwards that her career had reached a point where it was “trophy or nothing”, particularly once she was in the final. The Belarusian ball-blaster enjoyed another great season, reaching the Roland-Garros final and Wimbledon semi-finals before winning the US Open title.
However, Sabalenka caused a stir after another American, Coco Gauff, edged her out in a cliffhanger final in Paris. She blamed the defeat on her own errors rather than her opponent’s performance.
“I think she won the match not because she played incredible; just because I made all of those mistakes ... kind of like from easy balls,” Sabalenka said in her post-match media conference.
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Sabalenka apologised publicly for her comments – calling them “unprofessional” and conceding she let her emotions get the better of her – and wrote a private letter to Gauff.
