Madison Keys is the new Australian Open champion after denying Aryna Sabalenka a historic third-straight title. Follow along for all the reactions.
Madison Keys is the new Australian Open champion after denying Aryna Sabalenka a historic third-straight title. Follow along for all the reactions.
Aryna Sabalenka described her racquet smash as something she needed to do so she could be a gracious runner-up during the post-match presentations.
Sabalenka made her post-match media appearance just minutes after the trophy presentations were complete, and she was asked about her emotions as she smashed her racquet and left the court to cool off.
“Well, I mean, there definitely was a bit of frustration because I was so close to achieving something crazy,” Sabalenka said.
“When you’re out there, you’re fighting, but it seems like everything going not the way you really want [it] to go.
“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 [laughs].
“It’s OK. I mean, I’m the one who knows that after tough losses, there are 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.”
Keys made her first grand slam semi-final at Melbourne Park and she is so happy to win her first title here as well.
She also thanked the physios for “keeping us together with tape”.
Then came a tearful, poignant speech to her team and supporters.
“I have wanted this for so long, and I have been in one other grand slam final, and it did not go my way and I didn’t know if I was ever going to get back to this position to try to win a trophy again,” Keys said.
“My team believed in me every step of the way. So, thank you so much. They believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself, and helped me every step of the way. Last year was so tough, with some really bad injuries, I didn’t know if I was gonna be able to do it again.
“To be here and have this trophy, and my husband [and coach], who is looking confused over there … I love you too. I love you all so much.
“Now I am dazed and confused. I want to say thank you so much, [I’m] so appreciative to every single person who helped me continue to believe in myself, and push on to achieve this dream. Thank you so much and I cannot wait to see you all next year.”
Sabalenka has accepted her runner’s up plate.
She joked to the trophy that she hopes she will see it next year.
Then praised Keys for her drive to the title and congratulated her. She said to enjoy the “really fun part” of celebrating the title.
“First of all, Madison, what a tournament. You have been fighting really hard to get this trophy,” Sabalenka said.
“I really feel like home when I’m here and I’ll come back stronger and do my best next year.”
She then, playfully, turned on her team.
“As always, that’s your fault, guys. I don’t want to see you for the next week, I really hate you,” Sabalenka said with a laugh.
“Thank you so much for everything you do for me and blah blah blah. I think we did our best, just Madison was playing incredible and really I couldn’t do anything much. Next time I play against Madison, I will be better.”
There were several crucial moments in that final set that led to Madison Keys’ victory.
She was 0-30 in the third game, 30-30 in the seventh game, then 15-30 in what was the penultimate game.
But not once did Keys face a break point in the final set, and what always would have given her team hope was how she continued to swing hard and not get passive. That is the new Keys, the grand slam-winning version.
The presentations are beginning on court and Sabalenka has returned from her cool off in the hallways to play her part.
Evonne Goolagong Cawley is on stage to award the trophy to Keys.