After some relaxing weeks at her home in Florida followed by intense pre-season training in Dubai, there is no place Aryna Sabalenka would rather begin her season than Australia.
Over the past two seasons, the world No.1 has claimed back-to-back Australian Open titles and contested the Brisbane International final last year.
“I feel fresh and ready to go. I love Australia. I always come here hungry and always come here ready (to play),” said Sabalenka as she targets an improvement on last year’s Brisbane International performance as a runner-up to Elena Rybakina.
Sabalenka has no shortage of supporters as she pursues that goal. Combining her aggressive on-court style with a bubbly off-court spirit, the 26-year-old has become a fan favourite in this country – and it’s an affection that’s happily reciprocated by the tournament’s top seed.
“Definitely the atmosphere. The crowd here,” said Sabalenka, when asked why Australia brings out her best tennis. “I feel all the support here and I think that’s the best thing about Australia. People are really into tennis and if they really cheer for you, you’re going to feel it and I love that.”
Sabalenka also loves Brisbane, where her early arrival provided ample time to soak up some city sights. On Christmas Eve, she enjoyed an outing to picturesque Kangaroo Point.