Aryna Sabalenka is preparing to win her third Australian Open title but insists she has learned from last year’s heartbreak with Madison Keys.
Sabalenka’s consistency in 2025 has been very impressive, with the world No. 1 reaching the finals in nine of the 16 events she competed in.
But she won only four of those matches, including particularly heartbreaking losses to Keys and Coco Gauff at the French Open.
Sabalenka defeated Amanda Anisimova at the US Open to win her fourth Grand Slam title and will face a rematch of her first major final, when she defeated Elena Rybakina in Melbourne at the 2023 Classic.
“Actually, I know what went wrong in all the finals I played and lost. I would say there were a lot of lessons last year, a lot to learn about myself. This season definitely won’t be like that again,” said Sabalenka, who will be playing in her fourth consecutive Australian Open final.
“It’s just a different mentality that I try to have in each final that I play in. I think that frustration comes from not coming to terms with what’s going on in the moment. And my mentality right now is I’m ready to do anything. I’m ready to go out there and fight with what I have and do everything I can.”
“I think when you have this mentality, you can play your best tennis and you’re there, you’re fighting, you have a chance. That’s my approach to the finals this season.”
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Highlights from the WTA Finals where Rybakina dominated top seed Sabalenka in Riyadh
Sabalenka made it to the final, but will need to step up her game against fifth-seeded Rybakina, who will be facing her for the 15th time.
Neither has Rybakina, although she hasn’t dropped a set en route to the final, something that hasn’t happened at a Grand Slam since 2008.
Sabalenka leads the match with 8 wins and 6 losses, but the two tied with two wins last year, and Rybakina won their most recent meeting at the WTA Finals in November.
This signaled a return to the top for hard-hitting Kazakhstan, who are aiming for their 10th straight win against top-10 players.
“Her shot is a heavy, deep, flat ball,” Sabalenka said. “She’s not easy to work with. We have a great history. She’s a great player. I’m looking forward to competing against this force.”
Cold Rybakina and special serve
Rybakina’s attitude was at odds with her brutal blows. Her clenched fist in reaction to defeating Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals was a display of intense emotion for the modest 26-year-old.
“She’s very calm,” Pegula said. “She doesn’t really do anything, which I find difficult sometimes. I don’t really know if she’s upset or excited or what.”
Rybakina is looking to continue his approach from Riyadh this season.
“Of course, competing at the WTA Finals against top players gave me a lot of confidence,” she said.
“I maintained my level. We played tough games, very close games. We won them all. I think I can only say positive things about the week.”
Considering Rybakina’s talent, it’s surprising that this is her first Grand Slam final in three years, but she’s had a tumultuous time off the court.
The Croatian player, who parted ways with long-time coach Stefano Vukov last summer and then rehired him, was suspended by the WTA following allegations of abuse against his girlfriend.
Vukov denied any wrongdoing, and Rivkina supported him, and his suspension was lifted on appeal in August last year.
“I think it helped me a lot, because of course he knows me best,” Rybakina said. “His advice on the court during games definitely makes a difference.”
One of the key factors Saturday will be the power of Rybakina’s serve. She has hit 41 aces this tournament, the most of any female player, but in her last two matches she has only completed her first serve 55 percent of the time.
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