“For a week I was still thinking about that” – Aryna Sabalenka makes honest admission about Australian Open final loss to Madison Keys haunting her

Aryna Sabalenka Opens Up About Australian Open Regret, Ready to Move Forward in Doha

Aryna Sabalenka recently admitted that losing the Australian Open final to Madison Keys took a significant mental toll on her. However, the Belarusian star has now put those regrets behind her and is fully focused on the challenges ahead.

Nearly two weeks after her heartbreaking defeat, Sabalenka opened up about the emotional impact of the match. Speaking to reporters in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, she acknowledged how difficult it was to move on.

“This one was the toughest one. I think for a week, I was still thinking about that match,” Sabalenka shared.

Despite the initial struggle, the World No. 1 made it clear that she has finally come to terms with the loss.

“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.”

Sabalenka Reflects on Tactical Errors in the Australian Open Final

Sabalenka fell to Madison Keys in a 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 thriller, struggling to find her rhythm against the 29-year-old American’s strategic play. The defeat not only cost her the Australian Open title but also ended her hopes of capturing a fourth Grand Slam trophy.

In an interview with Reuters, Sabalenka pinpointed where things went wrong in her game plan. She admitted that her aggressive hitting style may have played into Keys’ hands, allowing her opponent to expose weaknesses.

“I would have tried not to out-hit her but to play more tactically, and probably the most important thing—to boldly go after the ball.”

She also emphasized that her slow start gave Keys too much time to settle into the match.

“Now, it’s tough to say what the most important lesson is because the match was so complete. It may be to adapt during the warm-up so that you go out on court as charged as possible, moving from the very beginning.”

Sabalenka’s Road Ahead: Qatar Open Campaign Begins

With the Australian Open behind her, Sabalenka has already shifted her focus to the Qatar Open, where she is set to compete for the first time since 2022. Her campaign in Doha begins on Tuesday, marking her return to WTA 1000 action as she looks to reclaim her dominant form.

Now fully recovered, Sabalenka is eager to make a statement in Doha, proving that setbacks won’t define her season.