Aryna Sabalenka is ruing the missed opportunities she had to win the 2026 Australian Open which would have been her third in four years.
Sabalenka shared this at a presser after losing 4-6,6-4, 4-6 to Elena Rybakina in the women’s final; by competing in the game, Sabalenka became the first player to reach four Australian Open titles in a row since Martina Hingis in 2002.
Despite clawing her way back to win the second set, Sabalenka failed to carry the momentum and let it slip in the third set as Rybakina charged to the win.
Reflecting on the loss, Sabalenka, who lost in last year’s final to Madison Keys, said she failed to take the opportunities that went her way.
“She played an incredible match and I tried my very best. I was fighting to the very last point, I had my opportunities.”
“I missed a couple but it’s tennis; today you are loser, tomorrow you are winner so hopefully, I will be more of a winner this season.”
“Maybe I should have been more aggressive on my serve knowing that I have a break and put pressure on her” Sabalenka said.
