Aryna Sabalenka explains why her controversial racket smash after Australian Open final loss was a 'respectful' gesture towards Madison Keys

Aryna Sabalenka made her feelings clear and explained the reason behind her controversial racket smash following her loss in the 2025 Australian Open final on Saturday, January 25. She fell to Madison Keys, who claimed her first-ever Grand Slam title.

The two-time defending champion entered Melbourne with confidence after her Brisbane International win. She began her campaign with a commanding victory over Sloane Stephens and followed it up with wins against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, Clara Tauson, Mirra Andreeva, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, and Paula Badosa before losing 3-6, 6-2, 5-7 to Keys.

The Belarusian struggled to control her emotions after her loss. She smashed her racket on the court and then sat on the bench, covering her face with a towel as tears streamed down, before storming off the court.

In her press conference, Aryna Sabalenka explained that smashing her racket was a way to release her frustration. She wanted to ensure she could compose herself for the trophy presentation and not let any negative energy overshadow Madison Keys' moment of triumph.

"Well, I mean, there definitely was a bit of frustration because I was so close to achieving something crazy. When you're out there, you're fighting, but it seems like everything going not the way you really want to go," she said.

"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 (laughter)," she added.

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Aryna Sabalenka after Australian Open loss: "Not the result I wanted to have"

Aryna Sabalenka pictured at the 2025 Australian Open | Image Source: Getty

In the press conference, Aryna Sabalenka opened up about her feelings after failing to defend her title at the 2025 Australian Open. Had she succeeded, she would have become only the sixth woman, and the first since Martina Hingis in 1999, to win the Slam three years in a row.

The Belarusian admitted it wasn't the result she had hoped for but showed good sportsmanship, acknowledging Madison Keys as the better player on the day.

"Well, yeah, it's definitely not the result I wanted to have," Sabalenka said. "But I don't know, I think she just stepped in and play, like, nothing to lose at the end and was just going for her shots. At that moment I went in, so was great tennis."

The World No. 1 added:

"She fight throughout the tournament. She had a lot of difficult matches. She fought for it. In the final, she was playing really aggressively. Yeah, just wasn't my day."