TENNIS: Sabalenka primed for Australian Open after exhibition experiments

MELBOURNE – World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka said Friday that her off-season, which included a series of exhibition matches, gave her the perfect platform to experiment and refine her game ahead of her bid for a third Australian Open title.

While most players chose to rest after a demanding 11-month season, Sabalenka stayed active, competing in exhibitions in Atlanta and New York last month before taking part in a controversial "Battle of the Sexes" match against Nick Kyrgios in Dubai.

The Belarusian kicked off the 2026 season by winning the Brisbane International, blending her signature power with serve-and-volley tactics and delicate touches – elements she believes will serve her well at Melbourne Park, which starts Sunday.

“I had a great off-season, so I was really recovered and ready,” Sabalenka told reporters. “I played extra exhibitions, but I think they all made sense … good matches to test a couple of things I’d been working on during pre-season.”

She added, “I felt exhausted after Atlanta and New York, but I had one or two days off, so I felt recovered. I had a great preparation. Then there was a really high-intensity match against Nick, which was also part of my preparation. By the end of pre-season, I felt strong and ready.”

Sabalenka missed out on a third straight Melbourne Park title last year, losing to outsider Madison Keys in the final. The 27-year-old is determined not to underestimate any challengers this time around.

Among those standing in her way to a fifth major title is Iga Swiatek, who aims to complete her career Grand Slam and reclaim the world No. 1 spot.

“It’s actually not only about me and Iga,” Sabalenka said. “There’s Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula. I don’t want to forget anyone right now. It’s crazy to think we only played once last year. We haven’t played this year yet. I hope we’ll meet more often this season. There are so many great players I have great rivalries with.”

Sabalenka has been remarkably consistent on the women’s tour, reaching at least the quarter-finals of every major she has played since 2022. She credited her success to maintaining balance both on and off the court.

“The thing that’s been working well for me is balancing,” she said. “On match days, I’m fully focused and prepared. On off days, I do my hitting, then go for dinner or a walk to disconnect from the tennis world for a little while, just to feel fresh and ready for the next day.”

-Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford/Reuters