Aryna Sabalenka was reduced to tears after surrendering a commanding 3-0 advantage in the final set of the Australian Open championship match against Elena Rybakina.
The Kazakhstani player mounted a remarkable comeback, claiming six of the remaining seven games to secure a 6-4 4-6 6-4 victory and lift her second major trophy.
For Rybakina, the triumph marked her maiden title at Melbourne Park.
The two-time defending champion sat courtside following the defeat, pulling a towel over her head as she awaited the trophy presentation ceremony.
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Within 60 minutes of leaving Rod Laver Arena, the world number one found herself facing journalists in the press conference room.
The four-time Grand Slam winner initially burst into laughter when reporters asked her to evaluate her performance on court.
"I mean, she played incredible match, and I try my very best. I was fighting until the very last point," Sabalenka said.
Aryna Sabalenka was visibly upset after losing the final of the Australian Open | GETTY"I had my opportunities. It feels like I missed couple, but I mean, it's tennis. You know, today you're loser; tomorrow you're winner."
Despite appearing in better spirits than after previous major final defeats, the Belarusian acknowledged the emotional toll of the loss.
"I was laughing and crying. It was hysterical moment," she explained. "I was just really upset with myself, I would say, because once again, I had opportunities."
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Five facts for tennis fans | GETTY/PASabalenka revealed that her coaching staff were keeping their distance in the aftermath of the defeat, recognising that her current temperament made close proximity inadvisable.
"Now they try to avoid and escape me because they see that it's not really healthy to be around me right now!" she said.
When pressed on when she might sit down with her team to analyse the final, the world number one let out a heavy sigh before turning to her agent and another team member present in the room.
"When Today? Oh, f**k you, no! Maybe in a week. Or maybe in few days. Whenever I feel like, okay, I can move on from this one," she responded.
The 26-year-old reflected on how she had coped with this setback compared to painful defeats in Grand Slam finals at both the Australian Open and French Open during the previous year.
Elena Rybakina was outstanding as she won the Australian Open for the first time | GETTY"I feel like, yeah, overall it was much better than last year, two finals I lost," she said.
"Level-wise and decision that I was making and the way that the mentality was throughout the whole match that I was still there, I was ready to fight."
Despite relinquishing her Melbourne crown, Sabalenka expressed optimism about her progress.
"So I think overall I made huge improvement on that, and I still lost it. But it's okay. I feel like I'm moving towards the right direction."