World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is feeling “fresh and ready to go” as she prepares to defend her Australian Open title for a third consecutive year. The 26-year-old Belarusian had an impressive 2024 season, which saw her reach seven finals and claim four titles, including her victory at the US Open. Her year began with a successful defense of her Australian Open crown, where she triumphed over China’s Zheng Qinwen in the final.
Should she win again, Sabalenka would become the first woman to capture three straight Melbourne Park singles titles since Martina Hingis (1997-1999). Sabalenka expressed her enthusiasm for the tournament, saying she feels motivated and well-supported in Australia, where the fans are passionate about tennis. She highlighted her excitement upon arriving in Brisbane for the upcoming tournament, which starts on Sunday, ahead of the Australian Open scheduled for January 12.
Although she reached the final of the Brisbane International in 2024, Sabalenka suffered a loss to Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina. To prepare for the new season, Sabalenka spent her off-season in Florida before heading to the Middle East to fine-tune her game. She views the Brisbane tournament as an important opportunity to work on her game and make adjustments ahead of the Grand Slam.
Despite her current dominance in the sport, Sabalenka remains focused on improving various aspects of her game. She acknowledged that there are many areas to enhance, particularly her net play, touch game, and serve. Despite her impressive rise, Sabalenka continues to work hard on refining her skills to remain at the top of the sport.
ADD A COMMENT :