Sabalenka Slammed For Stealing Keys' Moment With Outburst In Australian Open Final
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Serena Williams' former coach, Rennae Stubbs, condemned Aryna Sabalenka's conduct after losing the 2025 Australian Open final to Madison Keys. However, fellow analyst Andrea Petkovic defended the Belarusian.
Sabalenka, an emotional and intense competitor, found it challenging to cope after losing the final to Madison Keys. The deciding set was tight throughout, but the American stepped up to get the crucial break and win 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.
Keys' final shot to confirm her first Grand Slam title led to Sabalenka angrily screaming at her team. She stared at them with a furious look for a few seconds before walking to the net.
It seemed like Sabalenka's rage might have subsided when she hugged Keys and warmly congratulated her on an incredible run to the Australian Open title, which included a triumph against Iga Swiatek in the semifinals.
However, the WTA world No. 1 was only temporarily suppressing her feelings. Sabalenka furiously smashed her racket before storming off the court to try and calm herself before the trophy ceremony began.
To Sabalenka's credit, she gave an excellent runner-up speech that congratulated Keys, showed appreciation to those that made the Australian Open possible, and made joking remarks to her team..
In an episode of her podcast, Stubbs acknowledged that Sabalenka gave a good runner-up speech but did not like how the three-time Grand Slam champion acted before that. She also gave a specific reason for why Sabalenka shouted at her team.
"I think the reason why Sabalenka lost her mind after the match, which was not a good look, was that she thought the return was out (during the final game)."
"When you see her reaction to her box, she basically says she thought the return was out which was why she lost her mind. But that was not a good look for her and breaking the racket was really not a good look for her."
"She is such a good loser normally, she is normally so gracious and she was gracious in the speech, but if there was one moment she would want to take back – it’s like you can’t take that moment away from Madison."
Petkovic, a guest on that episode of Stubbs' podcast, had a different view. She feels fans who usually like Sabalenka's emotion and her personality off the court must accept her fiery edge to go alongside that.
"You live and you die by the sword that you swing and if we love Sabalenka for the emotions that she displays we have to take the bad emotions with it. We can’t have all the funny dances and the warrior in her without having the other part of it as well."
Some fans agree with Stubbs' perspective, while others align more with Petkovic. However, Sabalenka composing herself to show respect to Keys at the net and congratulate her is a relevant part that should not be forgotten.
The world No. 1's anger after the defeat was apparent, but her embrace with Keys in the middle of all that seems to show she had no intention of ruining or overshadowing the American's moment.
