Aryna Sabalenka says the Australian Open have made a decision this year which she really isn’t a big fan of

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Aryna Sabalenka has made a winning start to her Australian Open title defence, as she bids for a third successive victory in Melbourne.

Sabalenka beat former US Open champion Sloane Stephens in straight sets and extended her winning streak to six matches.

The world number one has begun her 2025 season in strong form, with Sabalenka winning her 18th WTA title in Brisbane after beating Polina Kudermetova in the final.

After winning her first match at the Australian Open this year, Sabalenka has now moved one step closer to making history by becoming the first woman since Martina Hingis in 1999 to win three successive titles in Melbourne.

Aryna Sabalenka reacts to Australian Open making coaches sit courtside

While Sabalenka’s on-court performance impressed, the Belarusian is admittedly not a fan of a new feature at the Australian Open this year.

The tournament’s biggest court, the Rod Laver Arena, now seats player’s teams courtside, but Sabalenka could not fit all of hers in this position.

“Honestly, it’s not like I’m a big fan of that decision,” Sabalenka said in her post-match press conference. “Or if you do that, then make more seats. For example, me personally, I like to see the whole team. I want to see the whole people in my box. Even if I’m not looking at each person in my box, I always look at my coach, but I still see everyone. For me that’s important.

“I don’t know, sometimes I just want to look at my boyfriend for the support, for example. I just didn’t want to, like, look at the coach first, then look in the box because I have a lot of coaches. Four seats is not enough (laughter).

“Yeah, if they would make it to eight seats, I don’t know how, but it would be much better for me. So we decided to put everyone in the box. Maybe they were kind of like tight there and not comfortable, but I was comfortable to see all of them (smiling).”

After winning her first match in Melbourne, Sabalenka will now move onto play Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the second round on Wednesday January 15.

What does Novak Djokovic think about this decision?

While Sabalenka is not so keen on this new coaching setup, Novak Djokovic is impressed with the Australian Open’s innovation.

When speaking prior to the tournament getting underway, Djokovic praised the move and revealed that his new coach Andy Murray would be sat in that courtside position.

“I think it’s great that the Australian Open introduced the coaching box on the court at the same level in the corner,” said Djokovic. “I think it’s great. That’s where Andy and the coaching staff will sit.”

Djokovic will get to put this into practice against Nishesh Basavareddy in his first round Australian Open match in the Rod Laver Arena night session on Monday January 13.