MELBOURNE/STARNBERG, January 31, 2026
Elena Rybakina has clinched the singles title of the 2026 Australian Open. The 26-year-old from Kazakhstan outlasted two-time Melbourne champion and top seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in Saturday’s championship match.
Rybakina converted three of her six break-point chances and secured victory with her sixth ace after two hours and 18 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
ELENA RYBAKINA IS AN AUSTRALIAN OPEN CHAMPION
The No.5 seed defeats Aryna Sabalenka in an enthralling three-set encounter in Melbourne @wwos • @espn • @tntsports • @wowowtennis • #AO26 pic.twitter.com/iWAAHFZFHR
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 31, 2026
This win marks a second major title for the World No. 5, who emerged victorious at The Championships at Wimbledon in 2022.
“It’s hard to find the words but I want to congratulate Aryna. She’s had amazing results for a couple of years and I hope we’re going to play many more finals together,” Rybakina said during the on-court ceremony.
“I want to say thank you to you for an incredible atmosphere. Your support kept us going. Thank you everyone who made this tournament possible. It really is the ‘Happy Slam’, I always enjoy coming here and playing in front of you guys.
“The support kept us going. Thank you to the Kazakhstan fans. I felt the support!”
Sabalenka has won four Grand Slam titles, but she has also known her share of Grand Slam heartbreak, and after leading 3-0 in the deciding set, this became another painful chapter in that story.
“Honestly guys I’m really speechless,” Sabalenka said. “Congrats to Elena for an incredible run and incredible tennis. Let’s hope maybe next year will be a better year for me!”
US-American Jennifer Capriati, a two-time Australian Open champion in 2001 and 2002, presented the trophies to the two finalists. A total of 44,353 spectators attended Saturday’s night session at Melbourne Park.
