'It's trophy or nothing': Sabalenka's lament from loss

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka could not hide her disappointment after she narrowly missed out on a third straight Australian Open title on Saturday.

Sabalenka was bidding to become just the sixth woman – and the first since Martina Hingis in 1999 – to win the Australian Open title in three consecutive years, but was edged out 6-3 2-6 7-5 by American Madison Keys in a brilliant final. 

“I think when you get to the point of finals, it's trophy or nothing,” she said. “Nobody remembers the finalist, you know? Nobody put, like, next to the winner (the) finalist name.

“At this point, yeah, I go for titles. Of course, I have to be anyway proud of myself with the finals, three finals in a row. That's something crazy. I hope that next year I'll come back as a better player, and I'll hold Daphne (the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup) one more time.”

MORE: Keys v Sabalenka match statistics

Sabalenka’s frustration was clear for everyone to see at the end of the match as she shook Keys’ hand before smashing her racquet by the side of the court, and then left the arena to compose herself before the trophy presentation.