Aryna Sabalenka is struggling to digest more grand slam heartbreak after her upset loss to Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final.
World No.1 Sabalenka was up a service break in the deciding set before she was overrun in a 6-4 4-6 6-4 defeat at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday night.
It left the four-time major winner searching for answers to her near-misses in her post-match press conference at Melbourne Parkl.
"I was really upset with myself, I would say, because once again I had opportunities," Sabalenka said.
"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."
Sabalenka reached the last-four at all four of last year's grand slams, winning the US Open and losing the final at the Australian and French Opens.
"Overall, it was much better than last year's two finals I lost," the 27-year-old said.
"Level-wise and decision-making and the way that the mentality was throughout the whole match, I was still there, I was ready to fight.
"I knew that she's not going to give it easily to me. So overall, I made huge improvement on that, and I still lost it.
"But it's okay. I feel like I'm moving towards the right direction."
Sabalenka remains hell-bent on adding further grand slam titles to her list of honours despite her deflating loss.
"I don't want to think about tennis, but ambitions are still the same," she said.
"Keep fighting, keep working hard, keep putting myself out there, and try my best if I'll have another chance in the final.
"Just go out there and do my best. Then just try the same, you know? Try to see how many of them I can get."
