Champion plays down significance of trophy for coach
Aryna Sabalenka frustrated after latest major final loss
Elena Rybakina never stopped believing she would collect a second grand slam title after holding her nerve to defeat Aryna Sabalenka, the world No 1 and two-time champion, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 and win the Australian Open.
Rybakina, the fifth seed, arrived here as the in-form player after her triumph at the WTA Finals last November. It is her second major title after her win at Wimbledon in 2022.
“I always believed that I can come back to the level I was,” she said. “We all have ups and downs. Like everyone, I thought maybe I will never be again in the final or even get a trophy, but it’s all about the work.
