Aryna Sabalenka suffered a tight three-set defeat in the Australian Open final.

Aryna Sabalenka smashed her racket after losing the final (Image: Eurosport)

Aryna Sabalenka destroyed her racket in frustration after being denied a three-peat at the Australian Open.

The two-time defending champion was stunned by Madison Keys, who won 6-3 2-6 7-5 to lift her first Grand Slam title.

Following her defeat, the world No. 1 smashed her racket into her bench and stormed off Rod Laver Arena.

Sabalenka was the heavy favourite to retain her Australian Open title even before the tournament started. The 26-year-old had not lost a match in Melbourne since 2022 and started the season by winning the Brisbane International.

But Keys also came to the Australian Open on a winning streak after capturing the trophy in Adelaide. The American went on a dangerous run in Melbourne, taking out 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina and five-time Major winner Iga Swiatek en route to the final.

The No. 19 seed also downed 2022 runner-up Danielle Collins and former world No. 3 Elina Svitolina. And she continued her epic run in the championship match.

Keys stormed through the opening set before Sabalenka raced through the second to force a decider. As Sabalenka served to stay in it at 5-6, the American pounced to clinch her long-awaited first Grand Slam trophy.

Aryna Sabalenka left the court after suffering defeat (Image: Eurosport)

Sabalenka was understandably devastated, venting towards her team as she approached the net for the handshake. The top seed embraced Keys at the net and shook hands with the umpire before tempers flared.

The Belarusian slammed her racket into her bench in frustration before sitting on her bench and covering her face with a towel. She appeared to be sobbing underneath.

As Keys went to see her team, Sabalenka stormed off the court and cameras captured her walking through the tunnels of Rod Laver Arena.

The three-time Grand Slam champion eventually returned for the trophy presentation, where she collected the runner-up plate and eyed up the real trophy. “It’s okay, I hope I’ll see you next year,” she joked, speaking to the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.

Turning her attention to her opponent, Sabalenka continued: “I mean, Madison, wow. What a tournament. You’ve been fighting really, really hard to get this trophy. You played unbelievable tennis. You cracked this tonight. Congrats you and your team, really well deserved. Enjoy the celebration, enjoy the really fun part!”

Sabalenka also poked fun at her team, joking that she “hated” them before Keys took to the microphone.

“Bare with me, I’m absolutely going to cry, there’s no way I get through this without tears so sorry in advance,” the 29-year-old told the fans.

Keys was thrashed in her only previous Grand Slam final appearance, losing 6-3 6-0 to Sloane Stephens at the 2017 US Open.

Reflecting on the loss, she added: “I have wanted this for so long and I have been in one other Grand Slam final. It did not go my way and I didn’t know if I was ever going to be able to get back in this position to try to win a trophy again. My team believed in me every step of the way, so thank you so much.”