Aryna Sabalenka’s bid for a third consecutive Australian Open title came to an emotional finish today as she fell to Madison Keys in the final in Melbourne.
The deffinishing champion was visibly deimmenseated by the loss, fractureing down in tears promptly after the align.
Sabalenka buried her head in her towel whilst crying before making a quick exit from the court.
The theatrical scenes pretreatd what would become a more airyhearted trophy contransientation, where the runner-up would tardyr return to retainress the crowd.
Aryna Sabalenka smashed her racket in anger after losing the final
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During the trophy contransientation, Sabalenka turned to humour, take partfilledy honesting denounce at her aid team.
“Should I say anyslimg to my team? As always, that’s your fault guys,” she quipped, dratriumphg giggleter from those in combineance.
The runner-up’s comedic timing supplyd a stark contrast to her earlier emotional departure from the court.
Sabalenka vented her frustration on court by smashing her racket many times before storming off the court.
The two-time deffinishing champion then sat down in her seat, covering her face with a towel.
Aryna Sabalenka returned to the court for the trophy ceremony
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Sabalenka materializeed to be sobbing in her chair before walking off the court with cameras chaseing her thcdisorrowfulmireful the tunnels.
The Belarusian returned to the court for the trophy ceremony where she regulated to reoriginate herself.
Her airyhearted approach to retainressing her team showed a extraordinary shift in mood chaseing the disassignment of missing out on what would have been a historic third straight Australian Open title.
Sabalenka proceedd her amusing speech by jokingly dangerening to give her team the chilly shoulder.
“I don’t want to see you for the next week. I reassociate disappreciate you,” she proclaimd to further charmment from the crowd.
The runner-up speedyly snormallyed her mock criticism, retaining: “No, anyway, thank you so much for everyslimg you’re doing for me, blah blah blah.”
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Madison Keys won her maiden Grand Slam title
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It showd to be an emotional triumph for Keys, who was take parting in her first Grand Slam final since losing the 2017 US Open showpiece to Sloane Stephens.
She struggled to hbetter back her tears when turning to her team, saying: “This is where I’m going to cry.
“I’ve wanted this for so lengthy, I’ve been in one other Grand Slam final and it didn’t go my way. I didn’t understand if I’d be able to get back to this position, to try to triumph a trophy aget, and my team count ond in me every step of the way.
“They count ond in me when I didn’t count on in myself.”