AO 2026: Elena Rybakina back to Grand Slam winners' circle

In a rematch of their final at the same stage in Melbourne Park two years ago, Rybakina closed out a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 victory with her sixth ace of the match to claim her first major since Wimbledon 2022.

She received the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup from two-time Australian Open champion Jennifer Capriati during the trophy ceremony.

“It's an incredible achievement. Super happy and proud,” said Rybakina, who avenged her 2023 Australian Open final defeat to Sabalenka.  

“It was a really tough battle. I didn't expect to turn it around. Got some opportunities. Aryna is a very tough opponent, but I'm super happy that this time I'm holding the trophy.”

The first Kazakh player to win an Australian Open singles title, Rybakina will return to a career-high No.3 in the world on Monday.

Her return to the Grand Slam winners’ circle comes on the back of a resurgent stretch after reuniting with her coach Stefano Vukov.

He was back in her corner in August and they’ve picked up three titles together since – the Australian Open, the WTA Finals, and the WTA 500 in Ningbo.

No WTA player has won more matches than Rybakina since Wimbledon last summer (38 wins in that stretch) and she has now won 20 of her last 21 matches, including a triumph over Sabalenka in the championship decider at the WTA Finals in Riyadh last November.

Her win on Saturday was her third top-10 victory at this Australian Open and 10th consecutive one against top-10 opposition overall.

“I always believed that I can come back to the level I was. Of course, we all have ups and downs. Like I think everyone I thought or maybe I will never be again in the final or even get a trophy, but it's all about the work,” said Rybakina.

“I think we've been putting a lot of work in with the team, and they were also very supportive. In the moments when I was maybe not that positive, they would be helping out on the side.

“Of course, when you getting after some wins, big wins against top players, then you start to believe more, you get more confident.”

Playing under the closed roof of Rod Laver Arena, Rybakina pounced on the Sabalenka serve early on, claiming a break for a 2-0 advantage, and the she maintained the gap throughout the opening set to claim a one-set lead.

Sabalenka took care of business during her service games in the second set and broke Rybakina in the last game to level up the contest.

In the decider, the top seed leapt to a 3-0 lead but couldn’t keep it as Rybakina upped her aggression to march towards victory – her seventh victory from 15 encounters with Sabalenka.

“I knew that today if I get a chance to lead that I will need to try also some risky shots and just go for it. Not definitely wait for any mistakes or even get to the long rallies,” said Rybakina, who fired 28 winners and committed 25 unforced errors during the two-hour 18-minute final.

Sabalenka has lost three of her last five Grand Slam finals, including one to Madison Keys at the Australian Open 12 months ago.

She was able to joke about it though when addressing her team during her runner-up speech on Saturday.

“Thank you to my team for always being there, for enjoying me losing finals, but also sometimes we win them, so let’s hope for the best. Let’s hope that next year Daphne is going to be ours,” she said.

Sabalenka, who lost five of her nine finals last season, is a four-time Grand Slam champion and won the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024.

She gave credit to Rybakina during her post-match press conference and also rued her missed chances in the final.

“I mean, she played an incredible match, and I tried my very best,” said the 27-year-old Sabalenka.

“I was fighting until the very last point. I had my opportunities. It feels like I missed couple, but I mean, it's tennis. You know, today you're loser; tomorrow you're winner. Hopefully I'll be more of a winner this season than a loser. Hoping right now and praying.”