Aryna Sabalenka could not cover her frustration after dropping a decent Australian Open closing because the world No. 1 angrily smashed her racket a number of occasions earlier than placing a towel over her head and leaving the court docket to remember earlier than the speech.
Aryna Sabalenka© X screenshot
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The Belarusian, who was bidding to turn into the fifth participant to finish an Australian Open three-peat and the primary since 1999 ti pull off the feat, fell simply brief after Nineteenth-seeded Madison Keys handed her a 6-3 2-6 7-5 defeat.
After not a single break level was seen within the first 11 video games of the third set, Sabalenka confronted a 15/40 on her serve when serving to remain within the match.
Whereas she managed to avoid wasting the primary one with a giant serve, Keys managed to get into the purpose on her second championship level and realized it with a forehand winner.
For sure, the 26-year-old was left extraordinarily annoyed over how the ultimate ended.
Racket destroyed, head in towel. Gotta really feel for Sabalenka. pic.twitter.com/CB855bInFI
— Tennis GIFs🎾🎥 (tip jar🫙📌) (@tennis_gifs) January 25, 2025 Sabalenka to her crew: I do not wish to see you for the subsequent week
After returning to the court docket, the world No. 1 did her finest to be as composed as attainable and he or she vowed to return stronger.Â
Then, she teased her crew a bit, jokingly telling them that she hated them.Â
“Ought to I say something to my crew? Why are you laughing? As all the time that’s your fault guys!” Sabalenka told her team.
“I don’t wish to see you for the subsequent week – I actually hate you! Thanks a lot for the whole lot and blah, blah blah.
“I think we did our best, just Madison was doing incredible and I couldn’t do anything in this match. Next time I play Madison I will bring better tennis. Of course, sending love to my team. I love you even though we lost.”
