The glaring difference between the men's and women's tennis finals.

On Saturday night, Aryna Sabalenka was chasing history. The world No.1 from Belarus was just one match away from becoming the first woman in over two decades to win three consecutive Australian Open titles.

She was powerful. Unstoppable. Until she wasn't.

That's because world No.14 Madison Keys — who has spent years battling injuries and self-doubt — refused to let her moment slip away. The 29-year-old fought back to clinch her first-ever Grand Slam title in an unforgettable match that left the crowd in awe.

As Keys celebrated her victory, Sabalenka was left devastated. The 26-year-old shared an embrace with Keys before she smashed her racquet on the blue hardcourt and hung a towel over her head to hide her tears.

It was raw and human, but it's the moments that followed that showed us exactly why she's a tennis legend.

Watch: Aryna Sabalenka on her Australian Open final loss. Post continues below.

Sabalenka swiftly disappeared off court, but there was a good reason for it. When the three-time grand slam champion returned for the trophy presentation, she was classy and composed and funny.

Sabalenka was able to put her frustrations aside as she paid tribute to Keys' victory.

"First of all, Madison, what a tournament. You have been fighting really hard to get this trophy," she began. "Congratulations to you and your team, really well deserved and enjoy the celebration, the really fun part."

Sabalenka didn't hide her own heartbreak, admitting, "There definitely was a bit of frustration because I was so close to achieving something crazy. When you're out there, you're fighting, but it seems like everything's going not the way you really want to go.

"I just needed to throw those negative emotions at the end just so I could give a speech [and] not stand there being disrespectful. I was just trying to let it go and be a good person."

And then she cracked a joke at her team's expense.

"Should I say anything to my team? As always, that's your fault, guys. I don't want to see you for the next week, I really hate you," she said, before sharing a real heartfelt thank you to her crew.

It was a masterclass in resilience.

Madison Keys won the 2025 Australian Open. Image: Getty.

In another display of female excellence, Keys used her time in the spotlight to speak openly about her mental health.

The 29-year-old credited her win to starting therapy two years ago, destigmatising a struggle many athletes are dealing with behind closed doors.

"I'm really proud of myself," she said. "I didn't always believe I could get back to this point. But to be able to do it and win, it means the world to me."

It was an emotional, powerful moment of sportsmanship and female excellence.

And then came the men's final.

World No.1 Jannik Sinner, 23, defended his Australian open title, defeating Alexander Zverev, 27, in straight sets. But instead of being a celebration of talent, the match left many asking: should we still be platforming men like this?

Both Sinner and Zverev are surrounded by controversy.

Sinner could face a suspension of at least one year after allegedly twice testing positive for doping last March.

The 23-year-old is under investigation for doping after testing positive for a banned anabolic steroid last March. The World Anti-Doping Authority is appealing the decision not to suspend him, and he's due to face court in April.

Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys hug after Keys won the Australian Open. Image: Getty.

Then there's Zverev. The world No.2 has been accused of domestic violence by two former partners, Olya Sharypova and Brenda Patea.

Zverev has been accused of domestic abuse by former partner Olya Sharypova in 2020 and in 2023 by Brenda Patea, with whom he has a child.

In one allegation, Sharypova claimed Zverev punched her in the face, covered her face with a pillow until she struggled to breathe and pushed her against a wall at an ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Shanghai in October 2019.

Patea accused him of physical abuse and won a $740,000 penalty against him in 2023, though the case was later settled.

Winner Jannik Sinner (R) of Italy and runner-up Alexander Zverev of Germany. Image: Getty.

Zverev has denied all allegations and shut them down as "unfounded".

As he stepped up to accept his runners-up trophy, a spectator yelled: "Australia believes Olya and Brenda." She repeated the phrase before being escorted from the stadium.

His response?

To carry on as if nothing had happened. That was until he was asked about the comment at a later press conference.

"Good for her. I think she was the only one in the stadium who believed anything in that moment," he said.

Zverev continued: "I believe there are no more accusations. There haven't been for, what, nine months now. I think I've done everything I can, and I'm not about to open that subject again."

Someone is screaming at Alexander Zverev as he’s trying to give his runner up speech after losing to Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final.

Wow.

pic.twitter.com/5zv6rJYyQL

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 26, 2025

In a single weekend, we witnessed two completely different sides of sport. On one side, two women who reminded us of the power of resilience, empathy, and strength. On the other, two men with messy pasts who continue to take up space on the world stage.

It highlights a glaring difference in who we're willing to platform and give grace to. And it's not all that surprising. We continue to see talented men being excused for alleged bad behaviour. But when we keep giving grace to these men, it begs the question, are there really any winners?

Feature image: Getty.