Elena Rybakina Celebrates Her Second Grand Slam Victory at the Australian Open
MELBOURNE — Elena Rybakina secured her second Grand Slam title at the Australian Open on Saturday with a victory over top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka. The win marked a significant moment for Rybakina, showcasing the achievements of quiet perseverance.
After facing challenges at the beginning of 2025, including the suspension of her coach, Rybakina rebounded by clinching a title at the WTA Finals in November. She opened the new year with a major championship, emphasizing her resilience.
Her celebration was notably understated, reflecting her composed performance throughout the tournament. Rybakina concluded the final with an ace, sealing a hard-fought 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 victory against a familiar rival who had previously triumphed over her in the 2023 final.
"The heart rate was definitely beating too fast. Even maybe [my] face didn’t show, but inside it was a lot of emotions," the 26-year-old, who was born in Moscow but competes for Kazakhstan, said regarding her calm demeanor in crucial moments.
Rybakina recognized the necessity of seizing opportunities, particularly after experiencing a tense semifinal match against Jessica Pegula, where nearly 30 minutes passed between her first match point and securing victory.
Three years prior, Rybakina lost the Australian Open final despite winning the first set. This time, she broke serve in the opening game, took the first set, and rallied after losing the second set and falling behind 3-0 in the third. She won five consecutive games to regain control of the match.
"It gives me a kind of relief, also, a lot of confidence for sure for the rest of the season," Rybakina remarked.
The victory marked Rybakina’s second major title, having previously won Wimbledon in 2022. As the fifth seed, she entered the Australian final three years ago as the only player with a major title in the competition. While Sabalenka has added three more major titles to her resume, including consecutive wins in Australia and the U.S. Open in 2024 and 2025, Rybakina’s path saw her dip in form until this tournament.
A pivotal moment in Rybakina’s career came when she defeated Sabalenka at the season-ending WTA Finals. Since then, she has recorded the most match wins on tour and boasts a remarkable streak of 20 wins in 21 matches.
"Last year I didn’t start so well," she reflected. "I qualified for the [WTA] Finals late. I just hope I can carry this momentum. Do a good job with the team and continue this way."
Rybakina holds a 10-0 record in her last ten matches against top-10 players and will return to No. 3 in the world rankings. Following her win, Kazakhstan’s flag was unfurled at Rod Laver Arena as she celebrated with her trophy and team.
Rybakina expressed gratitude to her coach, Stefano Vukov, who faced suspension last year but received recognition from tournament organizers for his role in her success.
"Of course, I would like to thank my team. Without you it wouldn’t have been possible," she stated. "We had a lot of things going on [last year]. Thank you to all of you, and hopefully we can keep on going strong this year."
Having worked with Vukov since 2019, Rybakina values his continuous technical and tactical guidance. "We won many titles together," she noted, acknowledging their collaborative efforts that led to both her recent success and past victories.
For Sabalenka, the loss added to her disappointment after falling in last year’s Australian Open final to Madison Keys. "Of course, I have regrets," Sabalenka said. "When you lead 3-love and then it felt like in a 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."
Rybakina’s aggressive play included an impressive six aces, and she successfully fended off six breakpoint chances, maintaining composure throughout the match. As tensions escalated for Sabalenka, Rybakina’s determination and skill shone through, ultimately allowing her tennis to speak volumes.
