After a tense opening set, Rybakina secured the tie-break before going on to win 7-6 6-3. However, controversy erupted before the match even began when Azarenka stepped onto the Rod Laver Arena court sporting a Paris Saint-Germain football shirt. Umpire Alison Hughes quickly instructed her to remove it and warm up in her playing attire. Azarenka followed the instruction and later revealed it concerned sponsorship complications, despite both herself and PSG being sponsored by Nike.

In her post-match press conference, Azarenka explained: “They told me to take it off twice because I had a different shirt. I think it’s the issue with the sponsorships. I guess the logos are too big … I know that I’m not allowed to play in that. I knew those type of things.

“But I can still step on the court in what I want to step on the court. I do it for my own reasons. My son wore the white jersey today to his practice, and I tried to wear a white jersey to my match but couldn’t. So that’s OK.”

She had previously worn the same PSG home shirt on court before and after several matches, explaining it was a tribute to her seven-year-old son Leo, who supports the French side. That included her 6-4 6-1 victory over Jessica Pegula to reach the semi-finals.

Speaking to the WTA’s website, Azarenka said: “He saw me wearing the shirt; he will wear the shirt so we’re matching. I have been supporting them [PSG] since 2012, since [David] Beckham was signed to the club.

“I have been a fan for a long time and been to many, many games. He wants to play at Paris Saint-Germain. That’s his dream. I’m a soccer mum now and I love that.

“I love supporting. I’m obnoxious, like absolutely the most obnoxious. I yell but I’m very positive. I’m actually very proud because it’s a completely different emotion for me to support my son. I have no shame screaming for him, like zero.”

Two years on and the 36-year-old is absent from the first Grand Slam of the year this time around. Currently ranked world No. 148, she failed to secure automatic qualification.

The former world No. 1 has spent considerable time away from the tour, resulting in her dramatic fall in the rankings. Injury problems plagued her last campaign.

She only made three tournament appearances after the 2025 French Open, including Wimbledon and the US Open. Meanwhile, Venus Williams was awarded the final wildcard entry instead for the 2026 Australian Open women’s main draw.