Sabalenka Targets Another Australian Open Run Despite Losing Defending Champion Status
World number one Aryna Sabalenka returns to Melbourne Park once again as the player to beat at the Australian Open, even though this time she arrives without a title to defend or a recent winning streak on the Rod Laver Arena courts. The powerful Belarusian has become a dominant force at the season’s first Grand Slam, and despite falling short in last year’s final, she remains firmly among the favourites to lift the trophy.
Sabalenka’s remarkable 20-match winning streak at the Australian Open came to an end 12 months ago when American outsider Madison Keys produced a stunning performance in the championship match. That defeat denied Sabalenka the chance to secure a rare third consecutive Australian Open title, a feat last achieved by Swiss legend Martina Hingis in 1999. While the loss was disappointing, it did little to derail Sabalenka’s confidence or long-term ambitions.
Instead of dwelling on setbacks, the 27-year-old responded in the best possible way. She went on to claim her fourth Grand Slam title at the US Open, adding to her growing legacy and reinforcing her status as the world’s top-ranked player. That triumph helped her overcome other near misses in 2024, including a loss in the French Open final and a Wimbledon semi-final exit, proving once again her resilience at the highest level of the sport.
Heading into Melbourne, Sabalenka insists her mindset remains unchanged, regardless of whether she is defending a title or chasing redemption.
“Honestly, there’s no difference,” she said when asked about her approach this year. “It doesn’t matter if I won the tournament last year or lost in the first round. The goal is always the same — to bring my best tennis, improve my game, and stay fully focused.”
For Sabalenka, self-improvement has been the cornerstone of her rise to the top. She has consistently emphasized development over external pressure, choosing to focus on refining her strengths rather than worrying about expectations.
A Transformed Game Built for Hard Courts
One of the most striking evolutions in Sabalenka’s game has been her serve. Early in her career, particularly during the 2021 Australian Open, her serve proved unreliable and often cost her crucial matches. However, years of technical work and mental discipline have transformed that weakness into one of her greatest weapons.
Today, Sabalenka’s serve combines raw power with improved accuracy, allowing her to dominate points from the first strike. Complementing that is her growing variety, including well-timed drop shots and smarter tactical decisions, which have added new dimensions to her aggressive baseline style.
These improvements were reflected in her consistency throughout last season. Sabalenka captured four titles, the most on the WTA Tour, and reached nine finals, underlining her ability to maintain a high level across different tournaments and surfaces.
Her season did end on a sour note with a surprise defeat to Elena Rybakina in the final of the WTA Finals, a loss that abruptly halted her campaign. But rather than shaking her confidence, that setback appears to have fueled her motivation heading into the new season.
Chasing History in Melbourne
Sabalenka now returns to Australia with a chance to reach her fourth consecutive Australian Open final, an achievement that would further cement her dominance on hard courts. Even more impressively, she is aiming for a seventh straight hardcourt Grand Slam final, a milestone previously reached only by legends such as Martina Hingis and Steffi Graf in the professional era.
“I’m always super motivated when I come to Australia,” Sabalenka said. “I love playing here. The conditions suit my game, the atmosphere is special, and I want to stay as long as possible.”
She began her 2026 campaign in emphatic fashion by successfully defending her title at the Brisbane International, where she did not drop a single set. That performance provided an immediate confidence boost and suggested she is once again peaking at the right time.
While she no longer holds the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, Sabalenka is determined to make amends for last year’s final defeat.
“Of course, remembering last year’s final, I want to do better,” she admitted. “But I’m focused on the present, on every match, and on giving myself the best chance.”
Pressure, Expectations, and Experience
As the world’s top-ranked player, Sabalenka inevitably carries the weight of expectations. However, experience has taught her how to manage that pressure more effectively. Unlike earlier stages of her career, she now embraces her status rather than shying away from it.
Her calm, measured approach heading into Melbourne reflects a player comfortable in her own skin — someone who understands that Grand Slam success is built not on perfection, but on adaptability, resilience, and belief.
With a refined game, renewed motivation, and a proven track record on Australian hard courts, Sabalenka once again stands at the center of the title conversation. Whether she can reclaim the crown or face another challenge from the chasing pack remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: she enters the Australian Open with confidence, hunger, and unfinished business.
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