Aryna Sabalenka could not hide her emotions as she hit the winning point to claim her first ever Grand Slam title at the Australian Open on Saturday.After a magnificent battle against Wimbledon champion Elena Ryabkina, the exasperated world number five collapsed to the floor in tears.Sabalenka fought her way back after losing the first set, ending the thrilling final 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. While the milestone of winning a first Grand Slam title is always a special moment, Sabalenka's victory will feel that little bit sweeter after her first main draw experience in Melbourne five years ago.
What happened to Sabalenka at Australian Open 2018?
At 19 years of age, Sabalenka was playing on the biggest Slam stage for the first time in her career.
She was drawn against home hope Ashleigh Barty in the first round of the 2018 Australian Open.
While it ended in an early exit for Sabalenka, the occasion was also marred by the crowd at the Rod Laver Arena.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 23: Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates winning in the fourth round singles match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland during day eight of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Supporters in the stands mocked the then teenager, who was rather vocal with her grunts on court.
Fans imitated her noises at quite high volume and at one point, the umpire was forced to ask them to stop. But this only resulted in them redoubling their efforts to mimic Sabalenka.
Even Barty looked unimpressed with the display from the Melbourne Park crowd.
You can watch a clip from this moment at the 2018 Australian Open here.
Video: Crowd mocks Aryna Sabalenka during 2018 Australian Open
She's waited five years, but Sabalenka has finally had the last laugh at the Rod Laver Arena by fending off the rest of the competition and lifting the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup for the first time.
How did Aryna Sabalenka win the Australian Open?
Sabalenka did not drop a single set in the lead up to the 2023 Australian Open final.
The 24-year-old started off with convincing 6-3, 6-1 and 6-2, 6-3 wins over Shelby Rogers and Elise Mertens respectively.
Her fourth round meeting with Belinda Bencic looked to be a little more challenging at first but it was ultimately another comfortable victory for Sabalenka.
The world number five came out on top 7-5, 6-2 before beating Donna Vekić 6-3, 6-2 in the quarter-finals.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 28: Aryna Sabalenka poses with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after winning the Women’s Singles Final match against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during day 13 of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Sabalenka's semi-final clash against Magda Linette was shaping up to be a tense affair after a narrow 7-6 first set win, but the eventual champion enjoyed yet another straight-sets victory over the Polish star.
The final was undoubtedly Sabalenka's most challenging match of her run in Melbourne.
The world number five started on the back foot after reigning Wimbledon champion Rybakina took control of the first set. A superb battle between the two after that took it right down to the wire.
Sabalenka re-emerged fighting, and despite hitting more unforced errors and double faults than her opponent, she dug in her heels and produced a stunning comeback victory.
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