Aryna Sabalenka will have her eyes set on winning a third Australian Open title later this month.
Sabalenka faces backlash for playing in the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match ahead of the 2026 season, where she was beaten by Nick Kyrgios.
However, that does not appear to have fazed the world number one, with Sabalenka beating Marta Kostyuk to win the Brisbane International for a second consecutive year.
After winning the 22nd title of her career, Sabalenka has suggested whether she now thinks she is the favorite for the Australian Open.
Aryna Sabalenka says if she is now the Australian Open favorite
Sabalenka did not drop a single set on her run to the title in Brisbane, and she will now head to Melbourne for the first major of the year at the Australian Open.
The Belarusian is a two-time former champion in Melbourne, but last year Madison Keys beat Sabalenka in the Australian Open final.
When speaking in her post-match press conference after winning the Brisbane International, Sabalenka was asked if she thinks her victory sends the message that she is the favorite to regain her Australian Open title.
While she did not dismiss this claim, Sabalenka did not get drawn into this discussion and instead stated that her goal was to go one better than 2025.
“Well, I don’t know,” said Sabalenka. “It’s tennis, it’s sport, and that’s why it’s so beautiful because you cannot predict anything. It’s like every day you go out there and you prove your level, you prove your point.
“I think this week I did it really well, but nobody knows what’s gonna happen in the future, but the only one thing I’m sure is that I will be there, I’ll be fighting, I’ll do my best to go as far as possible and do a little bit better than I did last year.
“That’s where is my focus. My focus is on my game and developing myself and making sure that I’m strong and healthy heading to the AO.”
How many Grand Slam titles do you think Aryna Sabalenka will win in 2026?
Aryna Sabalenka responds when asked if this is the best her game has felt ahead of the Australian Open
Sabalenka has noticeably made some adjustments to her game during the off-season, which appear to have paid off at her first tournament of the year.
In a subsequent question in the press conference, Sabalenka was asked whether she thought this is the most complete her game has ever felt ahead of the Australian Open.
While she was happy with how her game was looking, Sabalenka was more focused on the ways that she can continue improving.
“No, for sure there are so many things I can improve at, and that’s the beauty of sport,” said Sabalenka. There is always that little percent for little room for improvement.
“I definitely feel really great about my game, about my tennis, but I also know that there is a lot of things to improve and to work on. That’s what we’re gonna focus on next week.”
Who will win the 2026 Australian Open?
Sabalenka will continue her preparations for the Australian Open on the practice courts, as she now heads to Melbourne.
The main draw of the Australian Open will get underway on Sunday, January 18.
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