Elena Rybakina claimed her second Grand Slam title on Saturday, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the Australian Open women’s singles final. The victory capped a dramatic comeback in the third set and marked a milestone for the Kazakhstani player.
Rybakina, 26, who won Wimbledon in 2022, demonstrated resilience after losing the second set and falling behind 3-0 in the third. She rallied to win five consecutive games, finishing the match with an ace.
“The heart rate was definitely beating too fast. Even maybe my face didn’t show it, but inside it was a lot of emotions,” Rybakina said, describing her calm and composed demeanor on the court.
Her measured celebration reflected her understated tournament run: a small fist pump, a brief embrace with Sabalenka, a handshake with the chair umpire, and acknowledgment of the crowd.
Rybakina credited her team, particularly coach Stefano Vukov, who returned to action after a suspension last year. “Without my team, it wouldn’t have been possible. We had a lot going on last year. Thank you to all of you, and hopefully we can keep going strong this year,” she said.
Saturday’s win comes after a strong finish to 2025, when Rybakina won the WTA Finals in November. Since Wimbledon, she has posted 20 wins in 21 matches and holds a 10-0 record against top-10 opponents, a run that will propel her back to No. 3 in the world rankings.
Rybakina also reflected on lessons from past finals. Three years ago, she lost the Australian Open final after winning the first set. “I knew I had to capitalize quickly this time,” she said, noting that she overcame nerves and focused on executing each point.
Sabalenka, who has won multiple Grand Slam titles since their last meeting, expressed disappointment but remained optimistic. “Of course, I have regrets… Great tennis from her. Maybe not so smart for me. But today I’m a loser; maybe tomorrow I’m a winner,” she said.
Rybakina’s victory highlighted her consistency and mental toughness, with six aces and strong defensive play, fending off six break-point opportunities. It also marked a continuation of her quiet, clinical approach to the game, letting her tennis speak for itself.
