(Video) Aryna Sabalenka slams racket and cries uncontrollably after heartbreaking Australian Open final defeat to Madison Keys
Aryna Sabalenka has lost only her second Grand Slam final, after an earlier loss at the US Open 2023 final against Coco Gauff.
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Aryna Sabalenka (via X)
Aryna Sabalenka showed her frustration after losing her chance to win a third straight Australian Open title. Madison Keys defeated her 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 to claim her first Grand Slam trophy.
After the loss, the World No. 1 smashed her racket on her bench and left the court in anger. Sabalenka was a strong favorite to win the title again, having not lost in Melbourne since 2022. She also began 2025 by winning the Brisbane International.
At the net, Sabalenka hugged Keys and shook hands with the umpire. However, she vented her emotions at her bench, hitting her racket and covering her face with a towel. She appeared to cry as she sat down.
Racket destroyed, head in towel. Gotta feel for Sabalenka. pic.twitter.com/CB855bInFI
— Tennis GIFs🎾🎥 (tip jar🫙📌) (@tennis_gifs) January 25, 2025
While Keys celebrated with her team, Sabalenka walked off the court quickly. She later returned for the trophy presentation. The reigning US Open champion accepted the runner-up plate and looked at the championship trophy.
Madison Keys edges Aryna Sabalenka to win the Australian Open title
Madison Keys first showed her talent in 2015 by reaching the Australian Open semifinals as a 19-year-old. Ten years later, she became a Grand Slam champion. Keys defeated World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open final to win her first major title.
Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, entered the match on a 20-match winning streak in Melbourne. She had also won 11 matches in 2025, including the Brisbane title. Sabalenka aimed to match Martina Hingis by winning three Australian Open titles in a row, a feat last achieved from 1997 to 1999. She also held a 4-1 record against Keys, including a close win in the 2023 US Open semifinals.
Keys had previously lost her only Grand Slam final to Sloane Stephens at the 2017 US Open. But in 2025, she came prepared with a new Yonex racquet and a changed service motion. The 29-year-old played brilliantly and overcame the odds to secure the victory.
With this win, Keys set a record for the longest gap between a first and second Slam final in the Open Era. She also became the fourth-oldest player to win a first Grand Slam title in this period.
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Fahad Hamid
(669 Articles Published)