Tennis
Aryna Sabalenka’s ‘Tiger’ Mentality Shows Its Stripes After Australian Open Loss To Madison Keys

Aryna Sabalenka is a tough competitor. She did not hand the 2025 Australian Open title to Madison Keys. Keys earned it by outhitting one of the toughest and most powerful ball strikers in the WTA.
This match could have gone either way. When the match point finally went to Keys, Sabalenka left her emotions show on the court. While ESPN’s cameras panned to a crying Keys, a tearful Sabalenka let her anger out by destroying her racquet with repeated strikes against the hardcourt.
“That is the ecstasy, and that is the agony.”
Aryna Sabalenka didn’t take the loss to Madison Keys well, immediately destroying her racquet after match point.
WATCH: https://t.co/nFfQxvZ4sN pic.twitter.com/VCGSYYHcfS
— The Roar (@TheRoarSports) January 25, 2025
Sabalenka has a tiger tattooed on her arm. She has long identified with the tiger mentality. The post-match reaction was a normal reaction for a woman who was going for her third-straight Australian Open.
Aryna Sabalenka left the court before the trophy presentation and returned calmer. She is a wonderful player and a great personality in the sport. Her post-match emotional release should not be used against her. Very few of us will ever be in her shoes, the pressure, expectations, and chasing tennis history must be grueling to manage.
Sabalenka absolutely allowed to be pissed off.
Aiming for something historic with the 3-peat. Highest level of sport. Unreal match and was going to be emotional. Clearly frustrated but was gracious at the net and was gracious at the presentation.
Let them be human.#ausopen
— Sam Daddo (@sammydaddo) January 25, 2025
I loved the raw emotion of Sabalenka smashing her racquet straight after the final, she cared & wanted to win so badly & was shattered at losing,
Being gracious in defeat is something every sportsperson should aspire to, Sabalenka has that trait in spades as shown in her speech!— Steve Cadby (@SteveCadby) January 25, 2025