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Australian Open 2026: Aryna Sabalenka says she was 'really upset’ after defeat to ‘incredible’ Elena Rybakina in final

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Aryna Sabalenka said she was "really upset with myself" after suffering defeat to Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final from a leading position, but added "I did my best" and praised the level of her fifth-seeded opponent. Sabalenka came from a set behind to force a decider and then take a break advantage, but Rybakina fought back to claim her second major title, and first since 2022.

'Today I'm a loser, maybe tomorrow I'm a winner' - Sabalenka upbeat after final defeat

Video credit: SNTV

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka said she was "really upset" after losing her second consecutive Australian Open final, but felt she played to her maximum in defeat to Elena Rybakina.

Twelve months on from her bruising defeat to Madison Keys in the Melbourne final, Sabalenka fell again - this time to Rybakina - despite being on course for a third title after taking a break lead in the deciding set.

Sabalenka was on the crest of a wave of momentum, having charged back from a set behind, but could not recover after Rybakina dealt a double-break blow - pouncing on some errors from the two-time Australian Open champion to see through a dramatic victory.

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Speaking in her post-match press conference, Sabalenka rued missed "opportunities" in the match, but credited her opponent for her masterclass in aggressive ball-striking.

"I was really upset with myself, I would say," Sabalenka said. "Because, once again, I had opportunities. I played great until a certain point, and then I couldn't resist that aggression that she had on court today.

"I was just really upset with myself, but I think overall I played great tennis here in Australia. Even in this final, I feel like I played great. I was fighting. I did my best, and today she was a better player.

Watch as Rybakina seals victory over Sabalenka to claim maiden Australian Open title

Video credit: TNT Sports

"So I don't know. 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."

Victory for Rybakina marked her 10th in succession over top 10 opposition, and her second in a row over Sabalenka, following their meeting in the WTA Finals showpiece in November.

It continues a remarkable return to the top of the women's game for Rybakina, who claimed her first Grand Slam since Wimbledon in 2022 and cemented her reputation as perhaps the most powerful ball-striker in the women's game.

"I think it was really aggressive tennis overall the whole match," Sabalenka said. "I feel like in that moment she kind of had nothing to lose, so she stepped in and she played incredible points. She was serving, so it was just one break.

"I don't know if I have any regrets. Maybe I should have tried to be more aggressive on my serve, knowing that I have a break and put pressure on her, but she played incredible.

Sabalenka takes third-set advantage after 'staggering' baseline exchange

Video credit: TNT Sports

"She made some winners. I made a couple of unforced errors. Of course, I have regrets. You know, when you lead 3-0 [in the third set] and then it felt like in a few seconds it was 3-4, and I was down by a break. So it was very fast.

"Great tennis from her. Maybe not so smart for me, but as I say, today I'm a loser, maybe tomorrow I'm a winner, maybe again a loser. Hopefully not. Let's see."

Defeat on Rod Laver Arena meant Sabalenka has now lost three of her last four Grand Slam finals - a run stretching back to last year's match against Keys - taking her overall major final record to 4-4.

But the world No. 1 said she does not draw parallels between the defeats.

"I take each loss individually, because it was different players almost every time and different problems that I was facing during the match, different mistakes," Sabalenka said. "Some of them were great matches, I played incredible. So I guess I take it individually."

With the Australian Open marking the very start of a busy season, Sabalenka said her ambitions remain the same, despite the crushing setback.

Henman hails Rybakina's 'resilience' after turning tide in tense final

Video credit: TNT Sports

"Right now? I don't want to think about tennis," she said. "But ambitions are still the same. Keep fighting, keep working hard, keep putting myself out there, and try my best if I'll have another chance in the final. Just go out there and do my best.

"Then just try the same, you know? Try to see how many of them I can get."

Sabalenka, Rybakina set out 'tough race'

TNT Sports expert CoCo Vandeweghe feels Sabalenka and Rybakina showed in Melbourne they are operating on another level to the rest of the women on hard courts.

Vandeweghe also explained why the duo's form offers intrigue for the season ahead.

"You've got to think the hard courts now become more of a conversation between Rybakina and Sabalenka," Vandeweghe said.

"Everyone else is a tier below, in my mind. Indian Wells is the only other event, as it's a slow hard court, that it becomes a little bit more evenly matched for everyone.

Vandeweghe says Rybakina and Sabalenka are the standard-setters in women's tennis

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I'm excited to see what the other surfaces have to offer. Clay courts, we've seen both these women make semi-finals at Roland Garros. Wimbledon, who is going to match up there? These are the biggest hitters, biggest servers, and what does Wimbledon like to see? It accentuates big hitting and serving.

"It's going to be a tough race for everyone to catch up to what Sabalenka and Rybakina produced here, and this is the benchmark that everyone else needs to keep up with."

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