Aryna Sabalenka tells team she doesn't want to see them "for the next week" after AO loss

Even through tears, trust Aryna Sabalenka to lighten the mood after losing an emotional Australian Open final to a dialed-in Madison Keys on Saturday.

A big-hitting battle that went three sets, both women were understandably emotional after the American emerged victorious: For Keys, it was joy at winning her first major after carrying the ‘prodigy’ label for much of her early career, while for defending champion Sabalenka, it was devastation after coming up short of winning her third AO title in a row.

Read More: Aryna Sabalenka takes a rare loss in Australian Open slugfest

But after letting out all her emotions via an almighty racquet smash, Sabalenka was a gracious—and hilarious—runner-up during the trophy ceremony, as she gave kudos to Keys and her team before rounding on her own coaches, led by Anton Dubrov. (Video above)

“Should I say anything to my team?” Sabalenka mused, as cameras showed a spotlight illuminating her coaching box inside Rod Laver Arena.

“As always, this is your fault guys!” she said, cueing laughter from the stands. “I don’t want to see you for the next week. I really hate you.

“No, anyway, thank you so much for everything you are doing for me, and blah, blah blah.”

Top seed Sabalenka came into the year’s first major as the heavy favorite, and she played the part too by charging through to the final at the expense of just one set. She started the season with a similarly dominant performance in Brisbane.

But despite the tough loss she still had plenty of praise for Keys, who took down the world No. 1 and also world No. 2 Iga Swiatek and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina en route to the title.

“No, I think we did our best, just Madison was playing incredible,” Sabalenka continued. “I really couldn’t do anything in this match. Next time I play against Madison, I’ll bring better tennis.

“Sending love to my team. Anyway, I love you even though we lost.”

True to form, Sabalenka was later spotted on the Australian Open’s extensive behind-the-scenes camera network organizing the whole squad for a mirror selfie shortly after the trophy ceremony—which was promptly shared to social media.

“What a start to the new year and new season! Although it’s not the result I wanted, I’m excited to keep working and come back even stronger,” she wrote in the Instagram caption, adding with a wink: “To my team, I’ll speak to you in a week…”