7h agoSat 31 Jan 2026 at 12:20pm
Thanks for joining us!
Thanks for joining our coverage of the 2026 Australian Open women’s final.
A big congratulations to Elena Rybakina, who walks away with her first AO title!
(Reuters)
On Sunday, our attention turns to the men’s singles final and it will be a match for the ages.
Will Carlos Alcaraz become the youngest male player ever to win all four grand slams? Or will Novak Djokovic claim a record 25th major title?
Only time will tell.
We’ll be back tomorrow evening for that sure to be thrilling final, so from all the ABC Sport team tonight, good evening and we’ll see you then😊
7h agoSat 31 Jan 2026 at 12:16pm
Rybakina’s win proves she’s one of the best in the world
A consistent and composed Elena Rybakina has claimed her maiden Australian Open title by beating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a thriller three years after her breakout Wimbledon win.
ABC Sport’s analysis with Marnie Vinall breaks down why the Kazakh is one of the world’s best players.
7h agoSat 31 Jan 2026 at 12:06pm
Sabalenka speaks on her AO final loss
(Reuters)
In her post match press conference, the world number one said she was “upset” with herself after losing so many opportunities to close out the deciding set.
“I was really upset with myself because I had opportunities,” Sabalenka said.
“I couldn’t resist that aggression she had on court today. Overall, I played great tennis in Australia. Even in the final, I was fighting. I did my best.
“It’s tennis — today you’re a loser, tomorrow you’re a winner. Hopefully I’ll be more of a winner this year.”
Overall, Sabalenka said she feels as though she’s made a “huge improvement” on last year’s loss.
7h agoSat 31 Jan 2026 at 11:59am
Rybakina’s victorious Australian Open run
Elena Rybakina’s championship run at the Australian Open saw her spend 639 minutes on court at Melbourne Park.
Take a look at her journey to the title here:
7h agoSat 31 Jan 2026 at 11:55am
Not much to separate Rybakina and Sabalenka in the stats
Elena Rybakina won the final in dramatic fashion over Aryna Sabalenka, however in the stats department there was very little to separate them.
Both players won exactly 92 points each in this match. Rybakina’s 92 point won was her championship winning ace.
Other key stats to note:
- 1st serve % – Sabalenka 62%, Rybakina 55%
- Winners – Sabalenka 35, Rybakina 28
- Unforced errors – Sabalenka 26, Rybakina 25
- Break points won – Sabalenka 2/8, Rybakina 3/6
Hard to split them.
8h agoSat 31 Jan 2026 at 11:45am
Will this win change the WTA rankings?
It sure will!
Elena Rybakina is up to a career-high third in the world rankings as a result of her 2026 Australian Open victory.
The 26-year-old is also right on the heels of Iga Swiatek, who sits in second place. Rybakina will be within 400 points when the next list is published.
Aryna Sabalenka still has a healthy lead of about 3,000 points at the top of the rankings.
8h agoSat 31 Jan 2026 at 11:41am
Rybakina getting acquainted with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup
8h agoSat 31 Jan 2026 at 11:36am
Rybakina has highest win percentage against world number one’s
After winning her maiden Australian Open title, Elena Rybakina has also picked up some impressive statistics in women’s tennis.
She is now in elite company.
8h agoSat 31 Jan 2026 at 11:26am
Our women’s singles finals duo
One walks away a winner, the other will be eager to come back in 2027 and fight for the title again.
(Getty)8h agoSat 31 Jan 2026 at 11:25amRybakina says the AO really is the happy slam
Speaking on stage as the 2026 Australian Open champion, Elena Rybakina thanked a long list of people before saying this really is the happy slam.
“It is hard to find words now, but of course I want to congratulate Aryna for the amazing results for a couple years, I know it is tough but I hope we are going to play many more finals together,” she said.
(Getty Image)
Rybakina went on to thank the crowd and supporters from her home nation.
“Thank you so much to Kazakhstan, i felt the support from that corner a lot,” she said.
“It is a really happy slam and I always enjoy coming here and playing in front of you guys.”
She finished by thanking her team, saying it wouldn’t be possible without them and giving a shoutout to the Kazakhstan tennis federation.
8h agoSat 31 Jan 2026 at 11:17amSabalenka ‘speechless’ after losing three-set battle
(Reuters)
There are a lot of cheers in the crowd for the world number one as she takes to the stage to collect her trophy.
“I’m really speechless right now.
“Congratulates Elena on an incredible run, congrats to you and your team.”
Sabalenka doesn’t speak for long but she thanks the crowd for all their support over the last two weeks.
“I love being here and playing in front of you all. Lets hope next year will be a better year for me.”
She also thanks her team for “always being there” even when she doesn’t walk away with the win.
8h agoSat 31 Jan 2026 at 11:10am
Trophy presentation starts
The trophy presentation is just about to begin, led by former Grand Slam doubles champion Todd Woodbridge.
8h agoSat 31 Jan 2026 at 11:10am
That has got to hurt for Sabalenka
A tough loss for Sabalenka.
That’s the second time in a row that she’s been overpowered in the final of the Australian Open.
Last year, she smashed her racquet in frustration on the court.
But this year, she’s sat down on her chair and looks visibly emotional. The world number one will be contemplating what has just happened.
(Getty)
The match was in her hands in the third set — she was up 3-0 but Rybakina brought the power and the composure when she needed to.
She’s very deserving of this win.
8h agoSat 31 Jan 2026 at 11:07am
Here’s the winning moment
Elena Rybakina hit an ace to win her first Australian Open title.
It was a fitting finish from the powerful server.
8h agoSat 31 Jan 2026 at 11:03amElena Rybakina wins the Australian Open 2026
Elena Rybakina has won the Australian Open 2026!
She won the championship point with an ace and launched into a subdued celebration with her coaching team.
She won the final 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
The final game started with a poor first serve, and Sabalenka was able to put the pressure on the second and won the first point.
However Rybakina remained unfazed (a common theme in this match) and smashed back-to-back forehand winners.
Sabalenka fired back with one of her own but Rybakina set up a championship point with an incredible serve that could not be returned.
The ace followed and Rybakina won the game, set, match and the title.
8h agoSat 31 Jan 2026 at 10:58am
Sabalenka hits back with rapid hold of serve
Sabalenka wasn’t wasting time in that game. She raced through her serves and won the game with ease.
That snaps Rybakina’s grip on momentum here, but it does not save Sabalenka from a difficult spot.
It is 5-4 to Rybakina and the Kazakh is serving for the match.
8h agoSat 31 Jan 2026 at 10:55am
Sabalenka beyond frustrated as Rybakina now one game away from title
Rybakina has held her serve, making it five games in a row she has won in this set.
She leads 5-3 now and is just one game away from becoming Australian Open champion.
(Reuters)
Sabalenka is really not pleased. Not at all. She threw her racquet at the ground, and caught it again actually. It was cool. But she is not happy.
9h agoSat 31 Jan 2026 at 10:50amRybakina breaks! She’s in front in the deciding set
(Getty)
From 0-3 down in this set, Rybakina now leads 4-3 and has a serve in hand.
What is happening?!?
The world number one looked in cruise control in this third set and was playing some of her best tennis.
But Rybakina has fired back, and in some manner.
In that game she gave Sabalenka no time to think with rapid returns and powerful backhand shots.
This is incredible tennis, from both players, but at the moment it is Rybakina with the upper hand.
(Getty)
9h agoSat 31 Jan 2026 at 10:46am
Rybakina holds after saving a break point
The Kazakh has served her way out of trouble once again on Rod Laver Arena.
She saved a break point in that game with a dominant serve and went on to power two serves that gave Sabalenka no chance.
That was a close one but we are locked at 3-3.
Sabalenka is beginning to get frustrated again. Momentum keeps shifting in this one.
9h agoSat 31 Jan 2026 at 10:40amRybakina breaks back!
That instruction from her coach to boost her energy has worked! Rybakina has broken back here in the third set.
Rybakina dominated that game with her defense and stopped Sabalenka’s momentum in its tracks.
There was another backhand winner that wowed the crowd and in typical Rybakina fashion, she walked it off with a cool expression on her face.
Pressure? Doesn’t look like it. What a game we have here.