The Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka confirmed its absolute dominance in the women’s circuit by conquering the Brisbane 2026 tournamentfirst title of the year and ideal prelude to the Australian Openwhere she starts as a great favorite. The world number one defeated the Ukrainian with authority Marta Kostyukbut the match transcended sports due to the emotional and symbolic charge that was experienced after the match.
Sabalenka imposes her hierarchy in the final
The final had little suspense in terms of tennis. Sabalenka was imposed by 6-4 and 6-3without giving up a single set in the entire tournament, reaffirming its status as number one in the ranking WTA and his excellent moment of form.
The match was dominated from start to finish by the Belarusian, who once again exhibited power, consistency and superiority against Kostyuk who failed to trouble her in key moments.
An ending without a greeting and a message that shook the award ceremony
Attention moved to the subsequent ceremony, where the absence of the greeting on the network between both players was again repeated. Marta Kostyuk He maintains his position since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and avoids shaking hands with Russian or Belarusian tennis players.
During the award ceremony, the Ukrainian spoke and recalled the drama that her country is experiencing:
“I want to say a few words about Ukraine. I play every day with a pain in my heart. Thousands of people are without electricity or hot water right now. It’s -20 degrees outside. It’s very painful to live this reality every day. My sister sleeps under three blankets because of the cold at home. I was very moved and very happy to see so many Ukrainian flags this week.”
The message was heard in silence by the organization and by itself. Sabalenkain a scene full of tension and emotion.
Sabalenka’s position on the war
The situation occurred despite the fact that the champion, born in Minsk, has publicly expressed her rejection of war. In 2023, during Roland Garroshad already set his position:
“No one in this world, Russian or Belarusian athletes, supports the war. People do not support it and if we could stop it we would stop it. But that is not in our power, unfortunately.”
Even so, Kostyuk remains firm in its decision not to separate tennis from the political and social context that Ukraine is going through.
The most unexpected moment: marriage proposal
When the ceremony seemed to end, Aryna Sabalenka surprised with a totally different message. After sportingly congratulating his rival, he went to the stands to dedicate a few words to his partner, the Brazilian businessman. Georgios Frangulis.
“First I want to congratulate Marta and her team for an incredible start to the season. I wish them all the best. I hope we meet many more times in the finals to show great tennis.”
Immediately afterwards, she launched the phrase that made headlines around the world: “Thanks to my boyfriend… I hope I can call you something else soon.”
The gesture closed an unforgettable day for Sabalenkawho not only lifted the first trophy of 2026but also starred in one of the most talked about moments of the start of the season of the world tennis.
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