Despite defeat, Sabalenka keeps smiling: "I'm ready to eat pasta, pizza and lots of ice cream".

At the end of an already iconic duel, Aryna Sabalenka relinquished her crown to Iga Swiatek (6-4, 5-7, 7-6). The defending champion failed to retain her title, despite three match points.

Despite the disappointment of defeat, the Belarusian was determined to remain positive. In doubt for several weeks, she seems to have rediscovered her very best tennis. Very aggressive, the world number 2, more powerful than ever, hurt all her opponents (40 winners in the final).

Questioned at the press conference, the two-time Australian Open winner was keen to play down the situation, already looking ahead to the Rome tournament: "I've got an early flight tomorrow morning (Sunday morning, to Rome), so I probably won't sleep tonight. The first thing that comes to mind is that I'm ready to eat pasta, pizza and lots of ice cream. Tennis goes so fast, we don't have much time to relax, have fun or drink (laughs). I'm happy to be seeded and to have a bye in the first round (in Rome). I'll have a few more days to recover. It's one of my favourite tournaments, with great facilities and a beautiful city."