By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Sunday, February 9, 2025
Photo credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty
Aryna Sabalenka’s moment of triumph turned into a challenging journey.
In a candid reflection on her tough three-set defeat to Madison Keys during the dramatic Australian Open final last month, Sabalenka described it as her “most challenging” loss to date.
TN Q&A: An Exclusive Interview with Roger Federer on the RF Collection and His Greatest Match
In a breathtaking showdown at Rod Laver Arena, the tenacious Keys overcame the two-time defending champion Sabalenka, clinching the victory with scores of 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, in an exhilarating clash of power athletes.
As she faced the media in Doha today, Sabalenka revealed the emotional weight of her Australian Open reign coming to an end felt particularly heavy, taking nearly a week to recover from the heart-wrenching loss.
“This was undeniably the toughest one,” Sabalenka admitted, as she spoke with reporters in Doha ahead of the Qatar Total Energies Open. “For the following week, I found myself still replaying that match in my thoughts.”
Ultimately, the two-time AO champion concluded that it wasn’t her loss but rather Keys’ incredible performance that sealed the match.
During her phenomenal run in Melbourne, Keys, now a newlywed, triumphed over the world’s top two seeds back-to-back, defeating three Grand Slam champions in intense three-set battles to secure her first Grand Slam title.
“Honestly, as I analyze those crucial games I lost in the finale, I realize I didn’t falter—she simply played the best tennis of her life, and it was her moment to shine,” reflected Sabalenka. “There’s no room for regret.”
“I believe I have fully regrouped after that intense match.”
The top-seeded Sabalenka is set to kick off her season at the first WTA 1000 event, facing Ekaterina Alexandrova, who secured a win over Emma Raducanu with a score of 6-3, 7-5 earlier today.
