After their respective semifinal victories, it was clear that a final was in store between world number one Sabalenka and world number five Rybakina, a rematch of the 2023 Australian Open final.
Then Sabalenka won; now it was Rybakina's turn.
The 26-year-old won 2–1 in sets (6–4, 4–6, 6–4) in a match that took over two hours.
I am very happy that my team and I managed to secure this result, and I hope we can continue like this throughout the year, Rybakina said after the final to the cheers of the audience.
It was the eventual title winner who took the first set, but Sabalenka was able to level the match at 1–1.
In the third and decisive set, Sabalenka took a 3–0 lead, and the final seemed decided. Then Rybakina made a huge comeback. She tied the score and then won the set 6–4.
I'm super happy that it ultimately went my way, Rybakina told Eurosport.
I was close three years ago; now I finally get to hold this trophy.
The victory means Rybakina has secured 4.15 million Australian dollars, equivalent to almost 26 million kronor.
Sabalenka receives just over 13 million kronor for her place in the final.
It is Sabalenka's second straight final loss in Melbourne, last year to American Madison Keys. Before that, Sabalenka won the tournament two years in a row.
Corrected: In a previous version, the wrong amount of prize money was stated in Swedish kronor.
2026: Jelena Rybakina, Kazakhstan.
2025: Madison Keys, USA.
2024: Aryna Sabalenka, neutral active.
2023: Aryna Sabalenka, neutral active.
2022: Ashleigh Barty, Australia.
