Rybakina defeats Sabalenka to win Australian Open title, second Grand Slam title

MELBOURNE, Australia — Elena Rybakina’s victory over No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open on Saturday en route to her second Grand Slam title was something of a testament to the unsung achiever.

After some turmoil in early 2025, including the suspension of her coach, Rybakina won the title at the WTA Year-End Finals last November. Now she starts the new year with a Grand Slam title.

Her understated celebration was emblematic of her understated performance during the match: a slight fist pump, a quick hug with Sabalenka, a handshake with the referee, a smile, a pat on the strings and a wave to the crowd.

Rybakina ended the match with an ace in the third set, beating her old rival who defeated her in the 2023 final 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

“The heart rate was really beating too fast. Maybe (my) face didn’t show it, but there was a lot of emotion inside,” Rybakina, 26, who was born in Moscow and represents Kazakhstan, said of her calm and collected game.

She admitted she was on edge during her semi-final win over Jessica Pegula, which took nearly half an hour from the first match point to the game-winning point, and she knew she had to seize her opportunity quickly this time.

Three years ago, Rybakina won the first set in the Australian final but lost in three sets.

This time, after she broke serve to win the first set, she fought back after losing the second set and trailing 0-3 in the third set. She won five straight games to regain control.

“It gives me a sense of relief,” she said, “and a lot of confidence for the rest of the season.”

It is the second Grand Slam title for fifth seed Rybakina, who won Wimbledon in 2022 and reached the Australian final as the only Grand Slam champion three years ago.

While Sabalenka went on to win three more majors, including back-to-back victories in Australia and the 2024 and 2025 U.S. Opens, Rybakina’s results declined and she did not reach another major final until this tournament.

A late-season win over Sabalenka at the WTA Finals changed the trajectory of her career. She has the most wins on tour since Wimbledon and now has 20 wins in 21 matches.

“I didn’t get off to a great start last year,” she said. “I qualified late for the (WTA) Finals. I just hope I can keep this momentum going. Good job with the team and keep going like this.”

Rybakina has a 10-0 record in her last 10 matches against top ten players and will move back to third place in the rankings.

The Kazakhstani flag was unfurled on the court at Rod Laver Arena after Rybakina presented the trophy and posed for photos with her team.

She paid tribute to her coach Stefano Vukov, who took some time off from the women’s tour last year. Vukov received a silver medal from tournament organizers for his role as championship coach.

“I certainly want to thank my team,” she said. “This wouldn’t be possible without you guys. Really. We had a lot going on (last year). Thanks to all of you and hopefully we can continue to be strong this year.”

“It’s a win for all the team, all the people who supported me,” she said. “I just hope I can carry this moment with me throughout the season and keep improving.”

She said she has been working with Vukov since 2019 and finds it helpful to hear his constant stream of technical and tactical advice from her courtside seats. The more the merrier, she said, because she would eventually listen.

“We won a lot of championships together,” Rybakina said. “Even last year’s WTA Finals in Ningbo and now this trophy, I’m once again proud and grateful for the work my team has done.”

For Sabalenka, it was two consecutive finals losses in Australia, following last year’s upset loss to Madison Keys.

“Of course I have regrets. When you’re 3-Love up, it feels like it’s 3-4 in a matter of seconds, and I went down with a break – very quickly,” she said. “She played great tennis. Maybe not too smart for me.

“But like I said, today I’m a loser and maybe tomorrow I’m a winner. Hopefully this season I’ll be a winner and not a loser. Just hope and pray right now.”

Rybakina attacked from the start and her serve was strong, with six aces in total, and in addition to two breaks at the end of the second set and the beginning of the third set, she avoided six break point opportunities she faced.

As Sabalenka’s emotions intensified, Rybakina remained steadfastly silent.

Finally, she let her tennis do the talking.