Reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka reacted in understandable anger and frustration after her upset loss to Madison Keys, but made amends to the Aussie crowd with a hilarious and humble post-match speech.
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Sabalenka served for a match tiebreak in the thrilling third set but was broken to hand Keys her first grand slam title.
It means the world No.1 missed out on a third consecutive Australian Open crown, which would have put her in rare air amongst tennis greats.
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After losing the match Sabalenka was shown smashing her racquet in anger, and burying her face in a towel in tears, then walking off court before any of the post-match ceremonies.
“For Sabalenka, you have to feel for her. We saw from Keys tears of happiness and from her it was tears of despair, wasn’t it?” Jelena Dokic said on Nine.
Fans were surprised to see the reaction from the two-time champion.
But from her lowest point came a humble and hilarious speech, in which Sabalenka congratulated her rival before turning to her coaching team.
“As always, that’s your fault, guys,” she joked.
“I don’t want to see you for the next week, I really hate you.”
Cue massive laughter from the packed Rod Laver Arena crowd – but she wasn’t done.
“Thank you so much for everything you do for me and blah blah blah,” Sabalenka said.
“I think we did our best, just Madison was playing incredible and really I couldn’t do anything this match.
“Next time I play against Madison, I will bring better.
“And of course sending love to my team. Anyway, I love you, even though we lost.”
Sabalenka explained her post-match reaction in her press conference.
“I just needed to throw those negative emotions at the end just so I could give a speech, not stand there being disrespectful. I was just trying to let it go and be a good person, be respectful,” she said.
“It’s okay. I mean, I’m the one who knows that after tough losses, there is good wins. So I’ll keep working and make sure that next time, if I’ll be in this situation, I’ll play definitely better.”
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