2026 Australian Open Final: Sabalenka (1) v. Rybakina (5)

[Hitman]

I kept saying Rybakina can match Sabalenka when they both play their best, glad she came through this time.

 

[tennis_pro]

This second slam was LONG overdue!

And first slam Rybakina has won that had Sabalenka in the draw.

Exactly, I always thought Rybakina was a Wawrinka kind of player, the upset power has definitely been there, but she hasn't won bit titles in like 2 years.

Tour Finals, AO, 10 out of 10 against the top 10 in her recent matches. She finally starts to play to her capabilities. I hope she reaches the top spot this year.

 

[ibbi]

Trademark Rybakina celebration. That was her going crazy by her standards if anything

Seriously. Wimbledon was just a fist pump. Today we got a fist pump AND a shake of the head. She was out of CONTROL.

 

[Hitman]

Exactly, like girl…… it’s ok, it’s not going to be easy, keep your head on straight!

Even GOAT Serena had to accept that, and if she did, so should everyone else. These slams aren't just handed out, you have to work hard for them.

 

[roysid]

I hope Rybakina keeps this up and doesn’t get Vukov’ed again. She’s one of the best in the sport and we know she can dominate. I hope it continues.

Right now Vukov is her shining knight. Both need each other. We have to wait until the end of her career how the relationship evolves.

 

[ductrung3993]

Even GOAT Serena had to accept that, and if she did, so should everyone else. These slams aren't just handed out, you have to work hard for them.

take out the GOAT part which belongs to Martina Navratilova
EDIT: Serena has more WS but she also didnt have to deal with prime Evert and prime Graff

 

[Hitman]

What can she do if her opponent who looked like falling asleep suddenly got so charged that she had to win , else the punishment would be go to Russia and sell potatoes.
I bet in such cold it won't be fun over there

LOL

 

[Djumhur]

How many slam finals did Sabalebka lose?

 

[sortof]

Congrats Elena! Winning against a notorious screamer should be awarded by doubling the prize money.

 

[Hitman]

Exactly, I always thought Rybakina was a Wawrinka kind of player, the upset power has definitely been there, but she hasn't won bit titles in like 2 years.

Tour Finals, AO, 10 out of 10 against the top 10 in her recent matches. She finally starts to play to her capabilities. I hope she reaches the top spot this year.

I would love to see her as world number one. I do feel her best can beat anyone at their best.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Now the big questions come.
Where to go to smash the rackets?

You know it’s gonna happen somewhere lol

 

[ductrung3993]

I kept saying Rybakina can match Sabalenka when they both play their best, glad she came through this time.

Sab still better but she does have a self-destruction tendency (more in this match up) like when she did against Gauff who didnt do anything pretty much except pushing in that RG final

 

[Aussie Darcy]

3 runner ups from the last 5 slams. Insane.

 

[Hitman]

take out the GOAT part which belongs to Martina Navratilova
EDIT: Serena has more WS but she also didnt have to deal with prime Evert and prime Graff

They didn't have to deal with peak Serena either. It goes both ways. Serena's peak level is the highest of them all IMO.

 

[Jezza94]

I’m a fan of Sabalenka so I feel sorry for her, but Rybakina deserves it.

A very worthy winner.

 

[Hitman]

Sab still better but she does have a self-destruction tendency (more in this match up) like when she did against Gauff who didnt do anything pretty much except pushing in that RG final

She is more consistent, I'll give her that.

 

[RSJfan]

‘

 

[ductrung3993]

They didn't have to deal with peak Serena either. It goes both ways. Serena's peak level is the highest of them all IMO.

Are you comparing like 30 years evolution of racket tech, training and diet advances?

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Admire Sabalenka’s positivity in that speech. Hopefully Daphne will be ours next year

 

[Hitman]

Hingis made six AO finals in a row, she won the first three, and lost the next three

Sabalenka made four AO finals in a row, she won the first two, and lost the next two

 

[ibbi]

LOL THEY GIVE HIM AN AWARD!

 

[MilosRaonicFan]

Lol. Vukov gets a trophy as well. That's new

 

[veelium]

Since when does the coach get a trophy?

 

[Martin J]

Sabalenka found the strength to be funny during the speech, kudos to her. It must have been hard for her.

 

[MichaelNadal]

How many slam finals did Sabalebka lose?

Yes

 

[ductrung3993]

Lol. Vukov gets a trophy as well. That's new

This is so funny especially after Elena's photo refusal

 

[PDJ]

Very happy.
1) Rybakina won.
2) Sabalenka lost.

Literally, a win/win.

 

[cha cha]

Since when does the coach get a trophy?

Perhaps we give a trophy to the best spectator too?
There was a woman dancing well between the sets.

 

[Hitman]

Are you comparing like 30 years evolution of racket tech, training and diet advances?

And what makes Martina's level above Serena for you?

 

[roysid]

Since when does the coach get a trophy?

From last year

 

[AgassiSuperSlam11]

Sabalenka being self-deprecating about "losing finals" but still a decent speech

 

[RSJfan]

Sabalenka found the strength to be funny during the speech, kudos to her. It must have been hard for her.

It found the strength to listen to her grunting, kudos to me. It was hard for me. I want a trophy too.

 

[veelium]

Perhaps we give a trophy to the best spectator too?
There was a woman dancing well between the sets.

Best TT finals poster award.

 

[ScottleeSV]

A fantastic win for Rybakina. Showed a lot of courage from 0-3 down. A player as world class as her shouldn't be going 4 years without a slam. If she keeps her head screwed on and her life stable, she won't go another 4 years before the next one.

 

[roysid]

Rybakina doesn't look too happy of winning AO. She is kind of detached.

 

[ductrung3993]

Yes

She lost to better players minus the 2x against Gauff

 

[Hitman]

She made sure to mention Kaz players a few times.

 

[ductrung3993]

And what makes Martina's level above Serena for you?

WS competition, overall slams
Not to mention the way she conduct herself

 

[Martin J]

Rybakina doesn't look too happy of winning AO. She is kind of detached.

Lol, what? I have never seen her this emotional. For her standards, she looks uber happy.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Rybakina doesn't look too happy of winning AO. She is kind of detached.

Gee I wonder why

 

[ForehandCross]

I was supposed to support Sabalenka, but Elena and her ball striking made me swing to her side.

Elena and the kind of tennis she plays winning Grand Slams is good for the game. Also a Kazakh winning a Slam is good for the sport!

 

[Hitman]

Rybakina doesn't look too happy of winning AO. She is kind of detached.

That's just who she is.

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

I have not been this happy for a player winning a slam since Thiem in 2020 or maybe Alcaraz winning his first Wimbledon. I am on cloud nine. I am delighted.

 

[Hitman]

WS competition, overall slams
Not to mention the way she conduct herself

Peak level? Higher than Serena in your opinion?

 

[ductrung3993]

The Kazh mention was endearing because of how Russian left her hanging and Kazh extended their hands

 

[MilosRaonicFan]

Interesting how much Rybakina brought up Kazakhstan in her speech. I wonder how much of a connection she truly feels to the country.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Well what a fun tournament.

We are set for a fun 2026.

Continued greatness by the top ladies, the new #3 Rybakina upsetting the #1 Sabalenka.

#2 Swiatek still up there fighting as is Anisimova, Gauff, Pegula and more.

 

[ductrung3993]

Peak level? Higher than Serena in your opinion?

are we moving the goal post now from GOAT to peak level? And why not direct responses to my addresses? No need to say anything if you dont have intelligent things to say you know
EDIT:
"bionic poster" started in 2019....

 

[Bartelby]

Kazakhstan offered her the deal of a lifetime and she even hugged the Head of the Federation.

She made sure to mention Kaz players a few times.

 

[RSJfan]

Rybakina doesn't look too happy of winning AO. She is kind of detached.

She always looked detached. She’s either preternaturally calm or suffering PTSD.