“So close to doing something crazy,” sighs Aryna Sabalenka

Defeated on Saturday in the final of the Australian Open when she could have won a third title in a row, unprecedented in the 21st century, Aryna Sabalenka regretted having passed “so close to doing something crazy”. “There was clearly a bit of frustration” after this unexpected defeat against Madison Keys (14th), recognized in a press conference the world number 1, defeated in three sets (6-3, 2-6, 7-5).

“I was so close to doing something crazy”added the one who was double title holder before the final and could become the first player since Martina Hingis in 1999 to line up three consecutive titles in Melbourne. “When you're struggling but you feel like nothing's really going your way… I needed to get rid of those negative emotions”put forward the Belarusian to justify having hit her racket on the ground several times after the match. “When you get to the final, it’s the trophy or nothing. Nobody remembers the finalists”continued Sabalenka, triple Grand Slam winner at 26 years old.

My legs weren't responding too well at the start of the match, I was on the defensive all the time.

Aryna Sabalenka

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“Of course I still have to be proud of myself, three finals in a row is crazy. Hopefully I'll come back next year and be a better player and be able to lift.” the trophy again, then qualified the finalist, disappointed with her start to the match. “If I could change something” in the final, “I would try to start a little better, be a little more aggressive and not play too passively. My legs weren't responding too well at the start of the match, I was on the defensive all the time. I didn't serve at my best at all and tactically, I found that I wasn't at my best either.analyzed the Belarusian. “The match really started in the second set.”

“I know that after tough losses come great wins, so I will continue to work and make sure that I play significantly better the next time I am in this situation”concluded Sabalenka before complimenting her opponent, winner of her first Grand Slam title at age 29. “If she can continue to play like this, there is not much to do and (…) she can get into the top 5”estimated the world number 1. Fourteenth player in the world at the start of the tournament, Madison Keys will move up to seventh place on Monday.