Aryna Sabalenka has won widespread praise for a classy and composed runner-up speech after the Australian Open final - just minutes after she smashed her racquet and stormed off court before the trophy presentation. Sabalenka had been aiming for her third-straight Australian Open title, but her aspirations came to an end at the hands of American outsider Madison Keys, who took the victory with scores of 6-3, 2-6, and 7-5. This remarkable win made Keys the oldest first-time grand slam champion in the last decade.
Immediately following the final point, Sabalenka exhibited her frustration by smashing her racquet after shaking hands with the umpire. She then covered her head with a towel as she sat on the court-side bench, visibly upset. Although she left the court before the trophy presentation, she returned just in time to deliver her runner-up speech, which left the tennis world applauding her grace under pressure.
"Madison, wow. What a tournament. You've been fighting really hard to get this trophy. You played unbelievable tennis. Congrats to you and your team - really well deserved. Enjoy the celebration and enjoy the fun part," Sabalenka stated, acknowledging her opponent's triumphant performance.
Throughout her speech, the Belarusian added some humor about her coaching staff, saying, “That’s your fault guys. I really hate you... I think we did our best, but Madison was just playing incredible. I really couldn’t do anything.” Her humor and humility shone through, as she closed by wishing her team love.
After the emotional final, Sabalenka shared insights about her behavior during the match, asserting, "I just needed to throw those negative emotions at the end just so I could give a speech, not stand there being disrespectful." This self-awareness and ability to regain composure made waves on social media, transforming initial criticism of her racquet-smashing moment to admiration for her eventual poise. One Twitter user quipped, "What a FANTASTIC runner-up speech from Aryna Sabalenka," highlighting the turnaround.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic’s notable exit from the tournament led to its own set of controversies. The 24-time grand slam champion retired injured during his semi-final against Alexander Zverev, after initially sustaining his hamstring injury against Carlos Alcaraz. Many fans booed him off the court, expressing dissatisfaction with the abrupt end to their match. Djokovic responded to the backlash by posting his MRI scan on social media, sarcastically addressing self-proclaimed "sports injury experts."
Djokovic reflected, "I can understand (to an extent) why fans booed me off court... They paid for tickets expecting great matches, which they didn’t get.” His comments substantiated his respect for the audience's expectations, but he also highlighted his own sacrifices over the years for the tournament.
Multitudes of fans voiced their displeasure at the hostile crowd behavior. John Millman remarked on Channel 9, noting, "The crowds have been questioned... and rightly so. Some of the behaviour has crossed the line... Have some respect. He's one of the all-time greats, if not the greatest to play." Former player Jelena Dokic defended Djokovic as well, insisting, “Only a really heavy knee injury... could have led him to retire,” underscoring the seriousness of his condition.
Further exacerbation arose from the presentation by Channel Nine’s hosts, which drew sharp criticism for their conduct. Madison Keys found herself subjected to awkward questioning after her monumental victory when presenter James Bracey probed whether her recent wedding compared to her win. "No. That was still the best weekend," she retorted, turning down the odd comparison and leaving Bracey to awkwardly respond, “Right answer!” Such missteps alongside Djokovic's incident left the commentary team facing backlash from various players—including Ben Shelton, who suggested the overall treatment of players had been unacceptable.
Tension continued as the tournament seemed beset by instances of unsportsmanlike crowd behavior, leaving viewers unsettled. The Australian Open’s legacy is mirrored not only by incredible athleticism but also by how players handle intense moments—whether on the court or during post-match interactions.
Aryna Sabalenka, with her emotional display and eventual humility, and Novak Djokovic, fighting through immense scrutiny, both left spectators with lasting lessons from the calendar’s first grand slam.