Aryna Sabalenka suffered a shock loss in the Australian Open final to Elena Rybakina.
The Belarusian had lost just once in the past three years at the Melbourne event, but Rybakina produced an impressive display to dispatch the world number one in straight sets.
Sabalenka didn’t drop a set until the Australian Open final, but Rybakina’s performance was enough to inflict the star’s first loss of the 2026 season.
The world number one has now lost to Rybakina in two consecutive matches and she’s shared the main difference she’s noticed in the two in recent months.
Aryna Sabalenka says Elena Rybakina has ‘more confidence’ than ever
Rybakina is now comfortably up to world number three in the rankings and she is showing the sort of form that could really trouble Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek.
Sabalenka was asked about whether she’s noticed a difference in her latest rival and she said one change was clear.
“I think that definitely she has more confidence, and she goes for her shots without any doubt, I would say,” she said at her Australian Open press conference.
Who wins more Grand Slams in their career – Elena Rybakina or Aryna Sabalenka?
“But, still, she also — like, I still had opportunities, but the level was incredible. I feel like she just plays more aggressive.
“Yeah, I mean, she was able to build great confidence starting from Finals. Definitely better, better player. As a result, she got a slam, which is an incredible achievement.”
Sabalenka still holds a narrow lead over Rybakina in their head-to-head, with eight victories from their 15 matches, but a new rival for the world number one has certainly emerged.
Worrying stat emerges after Aryna Sabalenka’s defeat
Sabalenka might have collected four Grand Slams in just over three years, but it could be argued that she should have plenty more.
The world number one has now lost three out of four Grand Slam finals since last year’s Australian Open defeat to Madison Keys.
Sabalenka also lost the Roland Garros final to Coco Gauff and now the 2026 Australian Open final to Rybakina.
Is Rybakina the best player on the WTA Tour right now?
If not, who is better?
The only final Sabalenka has won since the start of 2025 is at the US Open, when she defeated Amanda Anisimova.
Sabalenka also lost the 2023 US Open final to Coco Gauff, where she took the opening set at Flushing Meadows.
If Sabalenka wants to continue her stranglehold on the WTA Tour rankings, she absolutely needs to work on her Grand Slam final record.
Particularly if Rybakina continues the form she has shown over the past three months.
