By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Sunday, February 9, 2025
Photo credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty
Aryna Sabalenka’s grandest Slam sparked major pain.
Reflecting on her three-set loss to Madison Keys in last month’s Australian Open final classic, Sabalenka said the setback was her “toughest” loss.
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A courageous Keys dethroned two-time defending champion Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in an inspirational AO showdown pitting premier power players that escalated into stunning slugfest on Rod Laver Arena.
Meeting the media in Doha today, Sabalenka said the dramatic end of her AO reign was such a stinging loss it took her about a week to recover.
“This one was the toughest one,” Sabalenka told the media in Doha ahead of the Qatar Total Energies Open. “I think for a week I was still thinking about that match.”
Those thoughts led two-time AO champion Sabalenka to one conclusion: She did not lose the match, Keys stepped up and won it.
In a magical Melbourne run, newlywed Keys toppled the world No. 1 and world No. 2 back-to-back, defeating three Grand Slam champions in fierce three-setters along the way to capture her first Grand Slam crown.
“Honestly, looking back and thinking about those two lost games [in the decisive set], I didn’t do anything wrong, she just played out of her mind, and it was her day,” Sabalenka said. “Th ere’s nothing to regret.
“I think right now I’m fully recovered after that tough match.”
The top-seeded Sabalenka opens season’s first WTA 1000 event against Ekaterina Alexandrova, who swept Emma Raducanu 6-3, 7-5 in her opener today.
