Aryna Sabalenka faced yet another setback on the biggest tennis stage, losing to Elena Rybakina in the final of the Australian Open on Saturday.
Rybakina triumphed with a score of 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 and is now anticipated to surpass Sabalenka in the world rankings this year.
Sabalenka’s performance in Grand Slam finals remains a topic of concern following this defeat, as she has now lost three out of her last four major finals, starting from her match against Madison Keys in the 2025 Australian Open.
Mouratoglou Points Out Sabalenka’s Lack of Discipline in Final Loss
In an Instagram post, Patrick Mouratoglou noted that Sabalenka seemed to struggle throughout the match, missing key opportunities to capitalize on Rybakina’s first-serve problems.
While Sabalenka landed 62% of her first serves compared to Rybakina’s 55%, the percentage of points won on first serves was close: 75% for Rybakina and 76% for Sabalenka.
“Rybakina is definitely back among the best, deserving a spot in the top three,” Mouratoglou stated. “But she did not perform well throughout the match. Sabalenka displayed potential to win, especially as Rybakina struggled with her serve—a critical asset.”
Mental Challenges Contribute to Sabalenka’s Defeat
Mouratoglou emphasized mental lapses as significant factors in Sabalenka’s loss, reiterating ongoing concerns regarding her performance under pressure in Grand Slam finals.
“The question remains: how did Sabalenka let the match slip away? The answer lies in her mental state and its consequences. There were many closely contested points, yet Rybakina won 24 of the key pressure points compared to just 15 for Sabalenka,” he explained.
He further criticized Sabalenka’s change in strategy during crucial moments, suggesting that she shifted tactics unnecessarily when she had consistently succeeded with her previous approach.
Sabalenka Must Tackle Recurring Issues
Despite being one of the tour’s most talented players, Sabalenka has a troubling tendency to falter in critical situations, as evidenced by her recent performance against Rybakina.
After initially leading 3-0 in the final set, Sabalenka lost five consecutive games, underscoring her ongoing struggle to close out significant matches. If she hopes to maintain her position at the top of the rankings, these issues must be addressed; otherwise, doubts about her ability to succeed in crucial moments will persist.
