Aryna Sabalenka insists the pressure of chasing an Australian Open three-peat was not to blame for Saturday's shock final defeat to Madison Keys. (Full Coverage | More Tennis News)
The world number one𓂃 and two-time defending champion entered the Melbourne Park showpiece having won 20 straight matches at the event.
ဣShe was chasing three consecutive titles at hard-court majors and aiming to become just the sixth woman to win three straight editions of the Australian Open.
ཧMargaret Court (1969-1971), Evonne Goolagong (1974- 976), Steffi Graf (1988-1990), Monica Seles (1991-1993) and Martina Hingis (1997-1999) had previously achieved that feat.
🍌Sabalenka fell short of joining that list as Keys claimed a dramatic 6-3 2-6 7-5 victory at Rod Laver Arena, but she believes her defeat was down to tactics, not the burden of being favourite or trying to make history.
𒀰"Maybe before the game I was thinking about that, as I didn't want to block those stats," Sabalenka told reporters at her post-match press conference.
♈"When you try to block something, it's growing bigger and bigger. Of course I was thinking about that.
♕"But the moment I stepped on court, I was just trying to focus on the game and things I have to do to win this match.
🎃"It's a final of a grand slam anyway. I wouldn't say that it was something to do with pressure. It was just the tactics and the way I started the match wasn't the best way.
🐲"It had nothing to do with pressure. You always play with the pressure. It's something you're used to living with."
♎Sabalenka's game was particularly off in the first set, during which she served four double faults to zero aces and, when she could get her first serve in, only won 43% of those points.
꧃She added: "Maybe I could start a little bit better. It seemed like my legs were off at the beginning of the match. I was on the back foot all the time. I didn't serve my best at all.
🦩"Tactically I'd say I didn't play my best at the beginning of the match. If I could change anything, I would try to start a little bit better with my movement.
🔯"Maybe be a little bit more aggressive and not try to just play too passive, you know, and play my game no matter what."
💖Sabalenka tipped Keys to reach the top five of the WTA world rankings when asked if the American was the most powerful player she had faced at the Australian Open.
♊"Today, yes. Today was very fast, very deep, very aggressive. Yeah, that was a great level from her," she said.
ꩲ"As I said, if she can continue playing the way she was playing today, yeah, she can be one of the top five."
