'It was a hysterical moment': Aryna Sabalenka explains 'laughing' after losing Australian Open final

Aryna Sabalenka has explained why she walked into her post-match press conference laughing after falling short in the Australian Open final.

The world No.1 was defeated in a three-set epic against Elena Rybakina on Saturday night, marking her second-straight loss in the decider at Melbourne Park.

Sabalenka led 3-0 in the third set but Rybakina surged back into the contest and claimed a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 victory to be crowned a two-time grand slam champion.

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It comes after Sabalenka was also defeated in the 2025 final against Madison Keys.

Despite the loss, she walked into the presser with a smile on her face, cracking jokes and was asked by one reporter about her jovial mood.

"I was laughing and crying ... it was a hysterical moment," Sabalenka said.

"I just let everything go out. I was really upset with myself, I would say, because once again, I had opportunities. I played great until certain point, and then I couldn't resist that aggression that she had on court today.

"I was just really upset with myself, but I think overall I played great tennis here in Australia. Even in this final I feel like I played great. I was fighting.

"I don't know. We'll speak with the team. Now they try to avoid and escape me because they see that it's not really healthy to be around me right now."

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Sabalenka was then asked when she would have a discussion with her team.

"I don't know. When?" she asked her coach.

"Today? Oh, f--k you, no. Maybe in a week or maybe in few days.

"Whenever I feel like, OK, I can move on from this one."

The 27-year-old heaped praise on her Kazakhstani opponent, who adds to her trophy cabinet after winning at Wimbledon four years ago.

"She made some winners. I made couple of unforced errors. Of course, I have regrets," Sabalenka said.

"You know, when you lead 3-0 and then it felt like in few seconds it was 3-4, and I was down with a break ... it was very fast.

"Great tennis from her. Maybe not so smart for me, but as I say, today I'm a loser, maybe tomorrow I'm a winner, maybe again a loser. Hopefully not. Let's see."