Aryna Sabalenka admits difficulty in shaking off Australian Open final defeat to Madison Keys

Aryna Sabalenka missed out on the chance to secure a historic hattrick at the Australian Open, losing to Madison Keys in the finals.

Aryna Sabalenka admits difficulty in shaking off Australian Open final defeat to Madison Keys

Aryna Sabalenka (via Instagram)

Aryna Sabalenka was aiming for an elusive three peat at the Australian Open 2025, a feat that only five women have accomplished so far. Sabalenka ended her 2024 season as World No. 1, winning 2 Grand Slam titles last year. She had a strong start to her 2025 season, winning the Brisbane International title before she moved on to the Australian Open.

At the Australian Open finals, she faced 19th-ranked Madison Keys in a tightly contested three-set match. Keys had previously produced a big upset at the semifinals by defeating World No. 2 Iga Swiatek, who had made it to that round without dropping a set en route, even producing multiple bagels and breadsticks on the way.

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This one was the toughest one. I think for a week i was still thinking about that match. Honestly, looking back and thinking about those two lost games (in the final set), I didn’t do anything wrong. She just played out of her mind, and it was her day there’s nothing to regret. I think right now I’m fully recovered after that tough match.

Aryna Sabalenka said via Eurosport

Despite the upset against Iga Swiatek, it was still the expectation of many tennis enthusiasts that the World No. 1, who is known for her dominance in hard court, would defend her Australian Open title. However, Madison Keys delivered impressively in her second major final, outplaying Aryna Sabalenka to clinch her maiden Grand Slam title.

Sabalenka was visibly frustrated throughout the match, especially when she conceded a point to Keys. She was also seen smashing her racket at the end of the match, which she described as a means of venting her emotions at the moment.

The road ahead for Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys in the 2025 tour

Aryna Sabalenka will next compete at the Qatar Open. Underway in Doha, Qatar, this WTA 1000 tournament takes place from 9 to 15 February 2025.

Aryna Sabalenka Madison Keys
Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys (via Instagram)

This hard court tournament will feature several other top women’s tennis players, including the likes of Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Jasmine Paolini, and Elena Rybakina. Sabalenka won the Qatar Open in 2020, where she defeated Petra Kvitova in straight sets in the finals.

Following her Australian Open victory, Madison Keys’ ranking surged to World No. 7. The Dubai Tennis Championships was next on her calendar, but she withdrew due to a hamstring injury.

Keys was expected to compete at the Qatar Open, however, she has once again delayed her return to tour due to her lingering injury. She is now set to only return to action at the Indian Wells Open at the beginning of March, as she also won’t feature at the ATX Open at the end of February due to the WTA’s top-10 rule.