TENNIS: Sabalenka returns to Australian Open primed for another title tilt

World number one Aryna Sabalenka enters the Australian Open as the top favourite, aiming for her fourth consecutive final in Melbourne after a strong season capped by a U.S. Open title. The Belarusian star arrives focused on refining her game and turning past setbacks into another Grand Slam triumph.

Shrivathsa Sridhar / Reuters

January 12, 2026

Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka celebrates with the trophy after winning the final against Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk at the Brisbane International Tennis Tournament on January 11, 2026.

Dan Peled / Reuters

BENGALURU – World number one Aryna Sabalenka heads into the Australian Open as the clear favorite, but unlike the past two years, the powerful Belarusian arrives without a title to defend or the momentum of a winning run in Melbourne.

The two-time champion’s 20-match winning streak at the season-opening major ended in last year’s final when American outsider Madison Keys denied her a rare three-peat, last achieved by Martina Hingis in 1999.

Sabalenka shrugged off that disappointment, as well as losses in the French Open final and Wimbledon semi-finals, to claim her fourth Grand Slam crown at the U.S. Open. She now arrives in Melbourne ready for another title run on the blue hardcourts.

“Honestly, there’s no difference,” Sabalenka said of her mindset heading into Melbourne Park without the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.

“Every time, it doesn’t matter what tournament it is… whether I’m the defending champion or I lost in the first round last year, the goal is always the same – to bring my best tennis and improve my game. That’s how I take it. I’m always focusing on myself, on developing my game, and making sure I’m 100% there. That’s my goal and focus every time.”

Sabalenka’s serve, which caused problems in Australia four years ago, has now become a crucial weapon. Her improved delivery, combined with clever drop shots and sharper tactics, has turned her into a formidable force on the court.

She won a tour-leading four trophies last season and reached nine finals, showcasing her consistency at the highest level. A surprising loss to Elena Rybakina in last year’s WTA Finals brought her campaign to an abrupt end, but the setback only strengthened her resolve.

The 27-year-old now returns to Melbourne aiming for her fourth consecutive Australian Open final. She also seeks to reach a seventh straight hardcourt Grand Slam final, a feat only matched by Hingis and Steffi Graf in the professional era that began in 1968.

“I’m always super motivated when I come to Australia,” Sabalenka said. “I love playing here and I want to stay here as long as possible. Of course, remembering last year’s final, I want to do a little bit better than I did.”

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