Aryna Sabalenka didn't play a great Brisbane International final against Elena Rybakina, and she jokingly blamed her team for the loss.
Sabalenka and Rybakina know each other well, having played against each other a few times already on the WTA Tour. The Belarusian has generally had the upper hand in the past and won the most important match between them at last year's Australian Open to win her maiden Grand Slam trophy.
Even so, Rybakina won a few herself, but still it was Sabalenka who won in the most recent two meetings prior to this one. The best demonstration of Rybakina fighting back in this matchup is with her record in the finals.
Last year's Indian Wells final was a big match, and Rybakina won that one. Now, this one in Brisbane was another final and Rybakina won that one as well. It was a pretty one-sided affair, as Sabalenka never really found her rhythm.
During the trophy ceremony, Sabalenka turned around to her team and jokingly blamed them for the heavy loss 0-6, 3-6.
"You did a bad job guys. 6-0 6-3, that's all your fault."
It was a pretty hilarious moment between Sabalenka and her team, with the team having fun with it. She spoke before the final about this match not being that important in the grand scheme of things, and that seems to be true.
She wasn't spectacularly disappointed by the loss, and her team was in pretty good spirits as well. Despite it being a final, Sabalenka achieved what she wanted to achieve in Brisbane, and that was to win a few matches and prepare for the first Grand Slam.
When it comes to Rybakina, it's a pretty big win for her. She needs a few of these big wins to kind really find herself again because it's been quite tough recently. Let's see how they both do at the Australian Open.
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