Australian Open 2026: Rybakina and her icy tennis neutralize (again) the nervous Sabalenka | Tennis | Sports

Similar molds and patterns, radically different backgrounds. From one year to the next, the same frame: the sad eyes of the number one, Aryna Sabalenka, after having lost again in the final of the Australian Open. This time, but another manual puncher that without making any noise, any stridency or participating in circusesbut simply by being herself, so silent, so effective, she is crowned in Melbourne and raises her hand: here, Elena Rybakina. She, for the first time triumphant in the antipodes, second in a Grand Slam: 6-4, 4-6 and 6-4, after 2h 18m.

Once again, Sabalenka’s long face and frustrated gesture, a recurring scene for a player to whom almost all paths of logic lead: she hits him harder and, probably, . However, in the age of speed, one-way traffic and a firm fist, it is not advisable to detract from the most important thing of all: knowing how to downshift when necessary. The great mystery of the mind. It continues to cost him. All that momentum that pushes him and multiplies him sometimes takes its toll, and there are already three grand finals delivered in a twelve-month interval.

Wanting it so much, the desire ends up breaking. It falls apart in the third set, 3-0 up first and a partial 0-5 later. Impossible for now to contain that nature that is so overwhelming and, at the same time, so penalizing. If not, it wouldn’t be Sabalenka, who speaks this Saturday with a heavy and contrite heart. “I’m very upset with myself because, once again, I’ve had opportunities. I’ve given everything, but she’s been better. Even so, I feel like I’m on the right path,” she says after falling into a linear episode, a flat game but with a dazzling final burst.

When it comes to tiptoeing, Rybakina handles herself like few others. His tennis is his face: aseptic to the max. Not a single grimace has been given throughout the tournament, not even in this resolution, which in reality is nothing more than a continuation of the previous year. He sealed 2025 as teacher and start the new year at the same pace, with that firm march and that security; he adjusts the braid, corrects the visor and executes. Without further ado. It seems to say that she is just doing her job. He fires balls, he doesn’t hesitate. It doesn’t excite either, but like this, the cheetah is silent, it has the same great —— as the popular Coco Gauff and gains prominence.

A millionaire plan from Kazakhstan

Faced with Sabalenka’s effusive personality, the champion proceeds from start to finish with extreme coldness. His smile does not escape him even when it comes to collecting the trophy. All extremely protocol. Deep down, a reflection of that style that, although it does not engage, works. Inverted routes in this epilogue that as it progressed seemed to be in the hands of the Belarusian, recovered after losing the first round, and which then led to a major lurch. All the points are very predictable, the five hits are rarely exceeded, and finally the acceleration that decides. One is decompressing, the other is swelling.

Very even records, only a couple of drops in the entire pulse, one per head. Roof closed, there is a weekend drizzle. And the revenge is consummated. Defeated by Minsk three years ago on this same stage, Rybakina (26 years old, Moscow) ends up being crowned and the millionaire plan of magnate Bulat Utemuratov shines; basically, buying talent for Kazakhstan with a checkbook. Broadly speaking: tracks – 38 technology centers spread across the country – and licenses everywhere – from the 1,800 in 2007 to 33,000 today; 200 million euros of investment in infrastructure and objective achieved: now a figure that climbs from the fifth to the third rung of the ranking.

Insipid in speech, her productivity against the best reveals a sharp competitor. Specifically, her victory against Sabalenka places her average against number one – always taking into account the context – at 60%, first on the list and above those of Serena Williams (58.6%), Steffi Graff (57.9%) or Lindsay Davenpor (44.1%). “I want to thank my team, without you this would not be possible. A lot of things have happened, thank you all very much and I hope we can continue like this,” he says. On the bench, his coach Stefano Vukov, investigated at the time for psychological abuse.

Suspended from entry for a year – the tournament denied him accreditation the previous year and in the summer the WTA [rectora del circuito] he lifted his veto—they celebrate it in their own way. Cold, cold everything. With an unfriendly face, Sabalenka leaves, a repeat offender. He said that he had learned his lesson, that all that nervousness that deprived him of the title against Keys a year ago and after the success at Roland Garros, against Coco Gauff, was under control. Overcome. It certainly doesn’t seem like it. Usually generous in words, this time it is concise: “Thanks to my team for always being there, for enjoying watching me lose finals… And sometimes win them.”