Aryna Sabalenka declared her Australian Open last loss as “the toughest one” and shared that it took her a full week to cease eager about falling simply quick in a thriller conflict.
After profitable back-to-back titles at Melbourne Park in 2023 and 2024, the Belarusian reached her third consecutive last on the Pleased Slam and every little thing was prepared for her to grow to be the sixth participant to finish a three-peat on the match.
However then, an impressed Madison Keys ruined these plans after edging out the world No. 1 within the Australian Open last 6-3 2-6 7-5.
Shortly after the American hit a forehand winner to seal the win, Sabalenka went to her bench – slammed her racket in frustration – and likewise put a towel over her head.
Now two weeks later, the 26-year-old is returning to motion in Doha.
Sabalenka: The Australian Open last loss was the hardest one
“This one was the toughest one. I think for a week I was still thinking about that match,” the three-time Grand Slam winner admitted.
“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 believe proper now I am totally recovered after that robust match.”
Aryna Sabalenka© Australian Open/YouTube
In her pre-tournament presser in Qatar, Sabalenka suggested that there wasn’t much time for her to prepare for the WTA 1000 tournaments in Doha and Dubai because she also needed some time to rest after a deep Australian Open run.
“I imagine I am going to simply take these two tournaments as preparation for the Sunshine one, and I am going to attempt to construct my tennis, and possibly take my tennis to the subsequent degree in these two occasions,” she defined.
After making that assertion, the world No. 1 suffered a shock loss in her opening Doha match as Ekaterina Alexandrova shocked her 3-6 6-3 7-6 (5).
