Aryna Sabalenka clearly subscribes to the theory that ‘if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry’.
The world No.1 delivered a surprisingly jovial post-match press conference after losing the Australian Open final to Elena Rybakina in three sets.
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Sabalenka walked into the auditorium laughing and delivered several gags, both at her own and her team’s expense, as part of the emotions she was experiencing following a second consecutive painful Melbourne Park final loss.
“I was laughing and crying (laughter). It was hysterical moment, but nothing really productive from that conversation,” she said.
“I was just let everything go out and try to – I was really upset with myself, I would say, because once again, I had opportunities. I played great until certain point, and then I couldn’t resist that aggression that she had on court today.
“I was just really upset with myself, but I think overall I played great tennis here in Australia. Even in this final I feel like I played great. I was fighting. I did my best, and today she was a better player.
“So I don’t know. We’ll speak with the team. Now they try to avoid and escape me because they see that it’s not really healthy to be around me right now (laughter).”
Sabalenka explained she did not have any regrets other than trying to be more aggressive in the third set when up a break, but credited Rybakina for the match going the way it did.
“She made some winners. I made couple of unforced errors. Of course, I have regrets,” she said.
“You know, when you lead 3-0 and then it felt like in few seconds it was 3-4, and I was down with a break. So it was very fast.
“Great tennis from her. Maybe not so smart for me, but as I say, today I’m a loser, maybe tomorrow I’m a winner, maybe again a loser. Hopefully not. Let’s see.”
Asked when she would look back over the match and debrief the result, she immediately consulted her team.
“I don’t know. When?” she asked her coach.
“Today? Oh, f**k you, no (laughter).
“Maybe in a week (laughter). Or maybe in few days. Whenever I feel like, okay, I can move on from this one (laughter).”