Aryna Sabalenka angry with her team after first match in Brisbane as she outlines what they did which ‘really frustrated’ her

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Aryna Sabalenka will be looking to win a third consecutive Australian Open title in 2025.

There is no better player on the WTA Tour than the Belarussian star, who currently occupies the number one spot in the world rankings.

Sabalenka impressed throughout 2024, as she added two Grand Slam titles to her collection, and took her WTA 1000 tally to seven.

She defended a Grand Slam title for the first time in her career, as Sabalenka won the Australian Open, beating China’s Qinwen Zheng in the final.

Sabalenka then won her first US Open title, as she beat home-favorite Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5.

A great year for the world number one, who’s 2025 season is already underway, although she didn’t have things all her own way in her first match of the year.

Aryna Sabalenka was ‘really frustrated’ during her win at the Brisbane International

Speaking after her opening-round win at the Brisbane International against Renata Zarazua, Sabalenka revealed what frustrated her during the first set.

“Yeah, I mean, I started really well, but then I think I was over-trying to do stuff,” she said.

“I was really frustrated with that.

“They [her team] were just like sitting there just, don’t overdo stuff, just stay basic and stay low.

“I’m like, yeah, yeah, I know, whatever.

“I’m glad I was able to switch off and kind of like start everything over again.”

Sabalenka struggled through the first set 6-4, before taking the second 6-0, securing her place in the last 16.

“I’m glad I was able to switch off and kind of like start everything over again,” she said.

The Belarussian star went on to explain what she was doing wrong before coming away with the victory.

“I felt like I had a lot of time,” said Sabalenka.

“I had a lot of options for what to do with that ball, I was overthinking, overdoing stuff.

“I was kind of like ****** with myself that I couldn’t stick to the simple stuff.

“Yeah, that was a bit fun at the beginning, I’m glad that, yeah, I closed this match in two sets.”

Aryna Sabalenka continues impressive record in Australia with first-round win at Brisbane International

With her win against Zarazua, Sabalenka extended her remarkable record in Australian WTA events over the past few seasons.

Sabalenka struggled in Australia back in 2022, but since the beginning of the 2023 season, holds an impressive 23-1 record in Australian tournaments.

Winning back-to-back Australian Open titles, the Auckland title in 2023, and reaching the final of the Brisbane International in 2024, Sabalenka has established herself as a true powerhouse down under.

Her only defeat in 24 matches came against Elena Rybakina in last year’s Brisbane final, where she lost in straight sets.

The Kazakh star got the better of the now world number one, as Sabalenka suffered a rare defeat in Australia.

Her dominance in Australia nearly mirrors that of her rival Iga Swiatek in France, who holds an impressive record herself.

Since debuting in 2019, the Pole has lost just three matches in France, winning 40, with her last defeat coming at this year’s Paris Olympic Games when Swiatek lost to Zheng.

Sabalenka and Swiatek’s form in Australia and France have played a large part in their rise to number one and two in the WTA rankings.

They’ll be hoping to add further titles in Melbourne, and at Roland Garros in 2025 as they look to remain at the top of the women’s game.

Sabalenka will continue her quest for a maiden Brisbane International title against Yulia Putintseva on January 2.