Aryna Sabalenka explains post-match racquet smash fury, backs Madison Keys to be 'top 5' player - 'Trophy or nothing'

Madison Keys claimed a sensational Australian Open title and the first major of her career by beating Aryna Sabalenka in three sets. While there was an outpouring of joy on one side of the net, there was an angry reaction on the other as Sabalenka smashed her racquet. The world No. 1 later explained her "trophy or nothing" approach and said she "needed to throw those negative emotions at the end."

Aryna Sabalenka says her furious reaction to losing the Australian Open final came from a "trophy or nothing" attitude and being "so close to achieving something crazy."

The world No. 1 was denied a third consecutive women’s singles title in Melbourne when she suffered a shock defeat to American 19th seed Madison Keys on Saturday.

Keys sealed a 6-3 2-6 7-5 triumph by breaking Sabalenka’s serve on championship point to claim her maiden Grand Slam title.

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The Belarusian responded by smashing her racquet and covering her face with a towel before heading into the tunnel to collect herself ahead of the trophy ceremony.

Sabalenka was composed and smiling by the time she returned to court to give her runner-up interview, and she later explained where the reaction came from.

"I think when you get to the point of finals, it's trophy or nothing," Sabalenka said at a press conference.

Keys stuns Sabalenka to claim maiden Grand Slam title - Australian Open highlights

Video credit: TNT Sports

"Nobody remembers the finalist, you know? Nobody puts the finalist’s name next to the winner! At this point, I go for titles.

"But I have to be proud of myself with three finals in a row. That's something crazy. I hope that next year I'll come back as a better player, and I'll hold [the trophy] one more time."

Sabalenka was bidding to become the first woman since Martina Hingis in 1997-99 to win three consecutive titles at Melbourne Park.

She went on an incredible 20-match winning run at the major to reach the final against Keys before finally suffering defeat.

"There definitely was a bit of frustration because I was so close to achieving something crazy," Sabalenka said.

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"When you're out there, you're fighting, but it seems like everything’s not going 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. It's okay.

"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."

'I'll come back stronger' - Sabalenka reacts to surprise defeat to Keys in final

Video credit: TNT Sports

'Aggressive' Keys can be 'top 5' player

Keys hit the form of her life to claim an outstanding career-first Grand Slam title, knocking out world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals before toppling the reigning champion.

She also took out world No. 7 Elena Rybakina, No. 11 Danielle Collins and three-time major semi-finalist Elina Svitolina on a perilous route to the trophy, impressing with some thunderous shot-making from the back of the court.

Keys celebrates her 30th birthday next month, but Sabalenka believes the best could be yet to come for the American, who will jump to a career-high No. 7 in the WTA rankings on Monday.

"If she can play consistently like that, there is not much you can do," Sabalenka said.

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"I mean, of course, I know how to play against her, but in this match I couldn't really do my stuff.

"She just played incredible. It seemed like she was overhitting everything. The depth of the balls were really crazy. I was trying my best. Obviously didn't work well."

"Today was very fast, very deep, very aggressive. That was a great level from her," she added.

"As I said, if she can continue playing the way she was playing today, yeah, she can be in the top 5."

'I have wanted this for so long' - Keys overjoyed by Australian Open glory

Video credit: TNT Sports

Sabalenka must wait to add to her collection of three Grand Slam titles: the 2023 and 2024 Australian Open, and the 2024 US Open.

But the 26-year-old was able to look at the bright side when considering the remarkable 20-match Australian Open winning run she completed this week in Melbourne.

 "I'm super proud. As I was saying before these finals, that I was able to achieve that many wins in a row at one Grand Slam, that's crazy," she said.

"That's already something, you know? Anyway, when someone else is going to achieve the same, they're going to say (my name) as the last player who was able to achieve it. It's already something big.

"I'm just trying to stay positive right now, find something good, but that's crazy.

"I couldn't even dream, couldn't even think about that a few years ago, that I'd be able to win that many matches in a row at one Slam.

"There is definitely something to be proud of and something I definitely have to improve and be better at.

"It's always a process of these things to be proud and then to improve some stuff, which didn't work well."

'She stepped up and dominated' - Robson and Courier react to Keys triumph in final

Video credit: TNT Sports

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