World number one Aryna Sabalenka enters the Australian Open in her familiar role as the hot favourite but unlike in the past two years the powerful Belarusian arrives without a title to defend or the momentum of a winning run in Melbourne. ADVERTISEMENTSabalenka shrugged off that disappointment as well as losing in the French Open final and Wimbledon semi-finals to secure her fourth Grand Slam crown at the US Open, leaving her primed for another title tilt on the blue hardcourts Down Under. That setback has only sharpened her resolve and she now returns to Melbourne looking to reach her fourth consecutive Australian Open final. The 27-year-old will also bid to reach a seventh straight hardcourt Grand Slam final to match Hingis and Steffi Graf in the professional era that began in 1968. Of course remembering last year's (Australian Open) final, I want to do a little bit better than I did."

Source: The Telegraph January 12, 2026 06:49 UTC