AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Rybakina triumphs at Australian Open, a frustrated Sabalenka comes up short
Jan. 31, 2026, 2:11 p.m. ET

Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina won her first Australian Open title, defeating the world's No. 1 female tennis player Aryna Sabalenka, who appeared frustrated as she came up short.
This handout picture released by Tennis Australia on Feb. 1, 2026, shows Rybakina posing with the 2026 Australian Open women's singles final trophy at the locker room in Melbourne.
FIONA HAMILTON, TENNIS AUSTRALIA/AFP Via Getty ImagesThis handout picture released by Tennis Australia on Feb. 1, 2026, shows Rybakina posing with the 2026 Australian Open women's singles final trophy at the locker room in Melbourne.

Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka looks on with the runner-up shield after her defeat to Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina in the women's singles final on Day 14 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 31, 2026.
MARTIN KEEP, AFP Via Getty Images
Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina (L) celebrates with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after her victory against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka (R) during the women's singles final match on day fourteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 31, 2026.
MARTIN KEEP, AFP Via Getty Images
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan poses alongside the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup as she speaks to the media at a press conference following her victory in the Women's Singles Final against Aryna Sabalenka during day 14 of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.
Lintao Zhang, Getty Images
Aryna Sabalenka speaks to the media at a press conference following her Women's Singles Final loss to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during day 14 of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.
Lintao Zhang, Getty Images
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan poses with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after her victory in the Women's Singles Final against Aryna Sabalenka during day 14 of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.
Darrian Traynor, Getty Images
Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina (R) hugs Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka after winning their women's singles final match on day fourteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 31, 2026.
DAVID GRAY, AFP Via Getty Images
Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka takes rest between the games against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina during their women's singles final match on day fourteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 31, 2026.
MARTIN KEEP, AFP Via Getty Images
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan celebrates a point in the Women's Singles Final against Aryna Sabalenka during day 14 of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.
Phil Walter, Getty Images
Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka reacts after defeat against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina during their women's singles final match on day fourteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 31, 2026.
DAVID GRAY, AFP Via Getty Images
Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina hits a return to Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka during their women's singles final match on day fourteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 31, 2026.
MARTIN KEEP, AFP Via Getty Images
Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka throws her racquet after a point against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina during their women's singles final match on day fourteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 31, 2026.
IZHAR KHAN, AFP Via Getty Images
Aryna Sabalenka shows frustration in the Women's Singles Final against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during day 14 of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.
Kelly Defina, Getty Images
Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka reacts as she takes rest between the games against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina during their women's singles final match on day fourteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 31, 2026.
MARTIN KEEP, AFP Via Getty Images
Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina hits a return to Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka during their women's singles final match on day fourteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 31, 2026.
WILLIAM WEST, AFP Via Getty Images
Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka hits a return against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina during their women's singles final match on day fourteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 31, 2026.
IZHAR KHAN, AFP Via Getty Images
Aryna Sabalenka plays a forehand in the Women's Singles Final against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during day 14 of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.
Kelly Defina, Getty Images
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan serves in the Women's Singles Final against Aryna Sabalenka during day 14 of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.
Clive Brunskill, Getty Images
Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka serves against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina during their women's singles final match on day fourteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 31, 2026.
PAUL CROCK, AFP Via Getty Images
Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka hits a return against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina during their women's singles final match on day fourteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 31, 2026.
PAUL CROCK, AFP Via Getty Images
Coach Anton Dubrov (2nd R), coach Jason Stacy (1st L), boyfriend Georgios Frangulis (2nd L) and coach Max Mirnyi (1st R) watch Aryna Sabalenka playing in the Women's Singles Final against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during day 14 of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.
Phil Walter, Getty Images
Aryna Sabalenka serves in the Women's Singles Final against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during day 14 of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.
Quinn Rooney, Getty Images
Aryna Sabalenka (R) and Elena Rybakina (L) of Kazakhstan pose prior to the Women's Singles Final during day 14 of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.
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