"I needed to throw those negative emotions at the end": Aryna Sabalenka explains racquet smash outburst after Australian Open loss

Aryna Sabalenka has explained why she smashed her racquet out of frustration after losing the Australian Open final saying that it was due to the potential of reaching new heights by winning three titles in a row.

Sabalenka was seen smashing her racquet and hurling it towards the bench then stormed off court. Albeit she spoke glowingly about Keys after the defeat in which the American became a maiden Grand Slam champion for the first time. She also aimed hilarious digs at her team. But in that moment, she said she needed to channel her negative emotions.

“There definitely was a bit of frustration because I was so close to achieve something crazy,” she said in her press conference. “When you're out there, you're fighting, but it seems like everything going not the way you really want to go.

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“I just needed to throw those negative emotions at the end just so I could give a speech, not stand there being disrespectful. I was just trying to let it go and be a good person, be respectful. It's okay. I mean, I'm the one who knows that after tough losses, there is good wins. So I'll keep working and make sure that next time, if I'll be in this situation, I'll definitely play better.”

"I just needed that time for myself to like switch off and forget and leave it in the best and be respectful, not be - I don't know.

“I just wanted to be respectful. I just needed to throw those stuff out and needed some time with myself. Yeah, that's definitely really tough. I was standing there and just was like: ‘Okay, c'mon, you've been in her position. She deserves that. She was better player than you’. Just, you know, it was tough.”

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