BENGALURU:
World primary Aryna Sabalenka enters the Australian Open in her acquainted position as the new favorite however not like previously two years the highly effective Belarusian arrives with no title to defend or the momentum of a profitable run in Melbourne.
The twice champion’s 20-match profitable streak on the season’s opening main was snapped within the title conflict 12 months in the past when American outsider Madison Keys denied her a profitable defence and a uncommon three-peat final achieved by Martina Hingis in 1999.
Sabalenka shrugged off that disappointment in addition to dropping within the French Open closing and Wimbledon semi-finals to safe her fourth Grand Slam crown on the U.S. Open, leaving her primed for one more title tilt on the blue hardcourts Down Beneath.
“Actually, there is no distinction,” Sabalenka mentioned of her mindset heading into Melbourne Park now not in possession of the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.
“Each time, it would not matter what event it’s … if I am the defending champion or if I misplaced within the first spherical final yr, the objective is all the time the identical – to carry my finest tennis and enhance my recreation.
“That is how I take it. I am all the time simply specializing in myself, on growing my recreation, and ensuring I am 100% there. That is my objective and focus each time.”
Sabalenka’s serve infamously hampered her in Australia 4 years in the past however her refined supply has turn out to be a vital weapon, whereas her variations with drop pictures and sharper tactical nous have turned her right into a formidable drive.
She received a tour‑main 4 trophies final season and made 9 finals, underlining her consistency on the highest stage, with a shock loss to Elena Rybakina in final yr’s WTA Finals title conflict bringing her marketing campaign to an abrupt finish.
That setback has solely sharpened her resolve and he or she now returns to Melbourne trying to attain her fourth consecutive Australian Open closing.
The 27-year-old can even bid to succeed in a seventh straight hardcourt Grand Slam closing to match Hingis and Steffi Graf within the skilled period that started in 1968.
“I am all the time tremendous motivated once I come to Australia,” mentioned Sabalenka, who kicked off her season by retaining her title on the Brisbane Worldwide with out giving up a set.
“I like enjoying right here and I wish to keep right here so long as doable. In fact remembering final yr’s (Australian Open) closing, I wish to perform a little bit higher than I did.
