Aryna Sabalenka will be hoping to build on a hugely successful 2025.
After all, despite her year being laden with success, there was still plenty of room left for growth for the four-time Grand Slam champion.
Clear fragilities within her game remained evident, namely her mental struggles, which resulted in her winning just one major all year despite reaching three finals and another semi-final.
With the tennis off-season having recently concluded, we are already starting to see the progress some players have made during this period away from tournament play.
Aryna Sabalenka, in particular, has somehow managed to improve upon her frighteningly good game too.
Aryna Sabalenka says she’s already improved one area of her game
Speaking to reporters after her latest win, brushing aside Madison Keys to reach the semi-finals in Brisbane, the Belarusian was asked about what exactly she had been working on in her off-season.
Her answer was candid, as she explained how that effort has had to continue into this first tournament of the year to truly solidify any progress made.
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Sabalenka admitted: “Well, here, in particular, I’m just trying to bring on court things I have been working on in the preseason, such as coming to the net. I was working on my serve, and it seems that it’s working a little bit better.
“I’m just trying to bring on match court things that I have been working on in practice, on the preseason. That’s it. I’m just trying to get some matches, get some wins, get the rhythm going again.”
Sabalenka gave her honest opinion on Keys after the match too, having finally gained revenge in Down Under after losing to her in the final of the Australian Open last year.
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Although she will not head to Melbourne as the defending champion, for the first time in three years, Sabalenka will still be widely considered the overwhelming favourite to claim the title.
After all, despite a year laden with near-misses, she ensured that 2025 would not be a completely barren campaign in New York as she won the US Open title.
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There, she re-established her hard-court dominance and will be expected to translate that form into Melbourne.
Her comfortable victory over Keys, the reigning Australian Open champion, should mark a statement result ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year.
It feels like, if her mental game is on point, nobody will stop her from reclaiming her throne.
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