Australian Open: Tennis great blasts Aryna Sabalenka for disrespectful act after losing to Madison Keys - as she explains her meltdown on centre court
Australian Open: Tennis great blasts Aryna Sabalenka for disrespectful act after losing to Madison Keys - as she explains her meltdown on centre court
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A tennis great has ripped into Aryna Sabalenka for taking some of the gloss off Madison Keys' stunning Australian Open win by abruptly leaving the court soon after match point on Saturday night. The world No.1 was left devastated after losing 6-3 2-6 7-5, and although she warmly congratulated Keys at the net and shook hands with the chair umpire in the immediate aftermath, she soon completely lost her composure.
![[The devastated world No.1 tried to hide her emotions under a towel after congratulating Madison Keys on her underdog victory]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/25/23/94518277-14325671-image-a-30_1737848424074.jpg)
Sabalenka smashed her racket to bits next to her courtside seat, then sat with a towel draped over her head to hide her face before storming off the court and up the players' tunnel to cool down. The short break worked and she returned to draw several laughs from the crowd in a heartfelt and funny speech as she received the runner-up's trophy.
![[Sabalenka completely lost her composure in the immediate aftermath of the defeat - but recovered to stir the crowd with a classy speech once she returned to the court]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/25/23/94504241-14325671-image-a-31_1737848457364.jpg)
However, former world No.5 Jo Durie was left unimpressed by Sabalenka's decision to vacate centre court, believing the surprising act took the focus away from Keys during the biggest moment of her career. 'It's a shame she did that,' Durie told viewers on Eurosport's coverage of the match.
![[The shattered Belarusian explained that her outburst was about trying to exorcise her negative emotions so she could clear her head and address the fans at Rod Laver Arena]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/25/23/94504235-14325671-image-a-32_1737848509137.jpg)
Aryna Sabalenka is pictured abruptly leaving the court before the trophy presentation ceremony after the Australian Open women's singles final on Saturday. The devastated world No.1 tried to hide her emotions under a towel after congratulating Madison Keys on her underdog victory.
Sabalenka completely lost her composure in the immediate aftermath of the defeat - but recovered to stir the crowd with a classy speech once she returned to the court. 'I know that she is going for a third title and emotions are running high, but it does rather take away from the moment for Madison.'.
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