Aryna Sabalenka was unable to win the Australian Open final for the second consecutive year, this time losing to Elena Rybakina in three sets.
Sabalenka, who lost to Madison Keys in the 2025 final, led 3-0 in the final set before losing five consecutive games to the Kazakhstani star.
Sabalenka eventually lost the match 4-6, 6-4, 4-6, and was later told she broke a key tennis ‘rule’ during the contest.
Questions must be asked of Sabalenka, who has now lost three of the past four Grand Slam finals she has participated in.
Jimmy Connors has weighed in on Sabalenka’s Grand Slam final troubles, questioning the world number one’s ability to close out matches.
Who wins more Grand Slams in their career – Elena Rybakina or Aryna Sabalenka?
Jimmy Connors questions Aryna Sabalenka’s ‘killer instinct’
Speaking on the Advantage Connors Podcast, the five-time US Open champion said: “Sabi, once again… I think she had 3-0 in the third, right?
“I might take a little ribbon for this but I have to say it. You have to have that killer instinct. You got to, especially when you’ve got somebody in the finals like that, you got to get on top and you got to do everything you can to stay on top and keep the pressure on and cut down on your mistakes, and don’t give any points away and make your opponent earn everything.
“And I know she’s had bad luck in the past, losing a number of finals she maybe shouldn’t have. But up 3-0 in the third in a major like that… you got to close the deal. And she’s way too good a player brother to not be able to do that.
“She has in the past, don’t get me wrong. But to let a lead like that go… I want to see how she bounces back from that.
“She has in the past again and she’s come through and won majors. But man, she’s got to get that killer instinct and when you have it, take it, grab it and get to the finish line.”
Connors later added: “I wasn’t criticising Sabi. I was just expressing my view.”
Closing out matches in the biggest moments can make or break a career; and if Aryna Sabalenka is not careful, she could be considered as a player who underachieved when her career comes to a close.
Sabalenka has won four of the eight Grand Slam finals she has contested. Comparatively, Iga Swiatek has won all six of the major finals she has played.
The Belarusian simply must find a way to improve her record in finals. The 2026 Australian Open final was in her hands, yet the trophy managed to slip way – despite Rybakina’s relatively average serving performance.
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Jimmy Connors’ Grand Slam final record
Connors won his first three Grand Slam finals on the Tour: the 1974 French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.
Three consecutive major final losses followed in 1975 at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open.
A year later, Connors regained the US Open title, defeating Bjorn Borg in the final.
In 1977, Connors lost another two finals – at Wimbledon and the US Open – before a further loss in the 1978 Wimbledon final to Borg.
Connors’ Slam final record improved thereafter. He won four consecutive finals: the 1978 US Open, 1982 Wimbledon and US Open and the 1983 US Open.
Connors lost his final Grand Slam final to John McEnroe at the 1984 Wimbledon Championships.
Connors finished his career with eight Grand Slam titles won from 15 major finals.
