ANGRY Aryna Sabalenka smashed her racquet as she missed out on an Australian Open hat-trick.
American Madison Keys became a major winner for the first time with a 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 victory in Melbourne.
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The Belarussian world No.1 – champion Down Under in 2023 and 2024 – destroyed her equipment in a moment of rage as Keys cried with her family and friends on the Rod Laver Arena.
Sabalenka, 26, said: “I’ll come back stronger and do my best next year.
“I did my best but Madison was incredible. I couldn’t do anything in this match. Next time we play, I’ll bring better tennis.
“Madison, wow, what a tournament, you have been fighting really hard to get this trophy.”
Keys – who beat world No.2 Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals – is coached by her husband and had to contend with a nasty hamstring injury last summer.
The Floridan, 29, received a cheque for £1.8MILLION, had tape on her left thigh as she made amends for losing to fellow Yank Sloane Stephens in the 2017 US Open final.
She said: “I’m glad I finally got Aryna back. We have the craziest matches.
“To win my first Grand Slam here means the absolute world to me.
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“I have wanted this for so long. My other final didn’t go my way – I didn’t know if I would ever get back to this position.
“My team believed in me every step of the way – so thank you so much.
“Last year was tough with bad injuries. I didn’t know if I could do it again.
“I’m dazed and confused right now. I cannot wait for more trophies.”
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