Aryna Sabalenka Aims for Third Consecutive Australian Open Title

• Aryna Sabalenka is set to defend her Australian Open title, approaching the challenge with the same mindset as her first victory.
• The World No. 1 is the favourite to win again, having adopted a more relaxed, step-by-step approach in her successful 2024 campaign.
• A third consecutive win would place Sabalenka alongside tennis legends like Margaret Court, Steffi Graf, and Martina Hingis.
• Sabalenka’s confidence has grown through her three Grand Slam titles and World No. 1 ranking, and she is in strong form after winning the Brisbane International.
• Sabalenka embraces the pressure of being the top player, seeing it as a motivator rather than a burden.
• She faces Sloane Stephens, a former U.S. Open champion, in the first round.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is preparing to defend her Australian Open title with a refreshed approach, treating her quest for a third consecutive win as if it were her first. Reflecting on her success in 2024, the Belarusian emphasized the importance of a focused, step-by-step mindset, avoiding the pressure of being the defending champion. “I wasn’t thinking about being defending champion,” she stated, and this mental clarity was key to her triumph. She plans to replicate that approach this year, hoping to lift the trophy once again.

If successful, Sabalenka will join an elite group of women, including Margaret Court, Steffi Graf, and Martina Hingis, who have won three consecutive Australian Open titles. While aware of the historical significance, she remains focused on her immediate goal without overthinking the potential achievement.

Sabalenka’s confidence has soared with three Grand Slam titles and the World No. 1 ranking. After winning the Brisbane International, she enters the tournament in strong form. Unlike some players who struggle under the weight of expectation, Sabalenka thrives on the challenge, viewing the target on her back as a source of motivation.

In the first round, Sabalenka faces Sloane Stephens, a former U.S. Open champion whose ranking has recently dropped. Sabalenka acknowledges their past battles and anticipates a tough match, recognizing that Stephens is in a “nothing to lose” mindset.