Tennis-Sabalenka moving past Australian Open heartbreak

Mar 8, 2025; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Aryna Sabalenka (BEL) reacts after she defeated McCartney Kessler (not pictured) during the second round of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Well Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

INDIAN WELLS, California (Reuters) - Aryna Sabalenka said the grief she felt after falling short in her bid for a third successive Australian Open crown was subsiding following her second-round win at Indian Wells on Saturday.

The world number one smashed her racket and covered her face with a towel and sobbed after losing to American Madison Keys in the final at Melbourne Park in January.