Aryna Sabalenka secured her maiden Grand Slam title with a thrilling three-set victory over Elena Rybakina in the women’s Australian Open final on Saturday. Competing under a neutral flag due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Sabalenka became the first player from Belarus or Russia to win a Grand Slam title under such conditions.
Sabalenka, who had a shaky start and lost the first set 4-6, made a remarkable comeback to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. The turning point came when she broke Rybakina’s serve in the seventh game of the decisive third set.
Despite a nervous beginning and five double faults in the first set, Sabalenka’s precision and power in the later sets proved decisive. She delivered 17 aces and 51 winners, eventually overwhelming Rybakina.
The victory marked Sabalenka’s first Grand Slam title after previously reaching three major semifinals. She broke down in tears as she clinched the win and later celebrated by climbing to her player’s box, where her coach, Anton Dubrov, was seen crying into a towel.
In her on-court speech, Sabalenka expressed gratitude to Billie Jean King for her pioneering contributions to women’s tennis and praised her team, describing them as “the craziest on tour.”
She reflected on the tough year she had endured and described the win as a relief and a source of immense joy.
Rybakina, who was ranked 25th coming into the tournament, had a strong performance throughout, defeating noteworthy players such as Iga Światek and Victoria Azarenka to reach the final. Despite the setback, she expressed hope for future success and a continued rivalry with Sabalenka.
The Australian Open win not only highlights Sabalenka’s resilience but also reshuffles the rankings and expectations in women’s tennis, showcasing the emergence of new talents at the top of the game.