The celebrations surrounded Aryna Sabalenka at the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025. And last year she confirmed herself as the leader of the women’s tennis world ranking and at the start of the current year she obtained the 18th title of her career.
The 26-year-old Belarusian defeated Russian Polina Kudermetova in three sets (4-6, 6-3, 6-2) to become champion of the Brisbane Open, the first WTA 500 category tournament of the 2025 season, held in Australia .
Playing in Oceania has become a guarantee of success for Sabalenka, since she has already been champion of the Australian Open (Grand Slam category), in addition to winning a couple of WTA 500 tournaments: Adelaide 2023 and the recent one in Brisbane.
“The playing conditions in Australia are great for me. “I feel very comfortable and full of confidence,” she commented after beating Kudermetova.
On the economic side, Sabalenka earned $192,475 after the title in Brisbane. In sports, she gained revenge for the lost final in that same tournament in January 2024, when she lost in two sets (0-6, 3-6) against the Kazakh Elena Rybakina.
In total, the Belarusian is getting closer to completing two dozen WTA Tour trophies in singles mode. So far, she has won three Grand Slams, one WTA Elite Trophy, seven WTA 1000s, five WTA 500s and two WTA 250s.
“I think what has gotten me where I am now is my passion for tennis and my work ethic. Everything in my life revolves around this sport, it is my great priority. I know how to disconnect and have fun off the court, so I have found the perfect balance,” described the European player, who has been living in Miami for some time.
His path to victory in Brisbane began still in 2024, on December 30, when surpassed the Mexican Renata Zarazúa in first round. In the round of 16 she eliminated the Kazakh Yulia Putintseva, in the quarterfinals the Czech Marie Bouzkova and in the semifinals the Russian Mirra Andreeva.
With this, he regains a good dose of confidence heading into the first Grand Slam of 2025, the Australian Open, which will be from January 12 to 26. There, she will try to be the first singles champion of three consecutive editions since Martina Hingis did it between 1997 and 1999.
“I feel totally prepared on a physical and mental level. Reach a Grand Slam with a title under your arm It is important to face it with confidence,” highlighted the Australian Open champion in 2023 against Elena Rybakina and in 2024 against Zheng Qinwen.
Aryna Sabalenka had a major setback at the close of the season in 2024 during the WTA Finals (in Saudi Arabia), after being eliminated in the semifinals by the American Coco Gauff, who won said title.
But her start in 2025 was strong as the leader of the world ranking and champion of the first of 17 WTA 500 category tournaments that will take place throughout the year.
Despite his successes, he maintains his improvement speech for the Australian Open: “I need matches and to train well, everything I have been working on in the preseason to do well in a Grand Slam. So far the new things are not working very well, but I need time, I hope that in Melbourne (Australian Open) I do better.”
The start of the tennis season, both in the men’s (ATP) and women’s (WTA) branches, is happening in Oceania. In addition to the Brisbane Openwhose men’s champion was the Czech Jiri Lehecka, Australia also hosted the third edition of the United Cup.
This tournament, which pits mixed national teams against each other, saw the United States lift the 2025 trophy after beating Poland 2-0. The victories were led by Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz against Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz, respectively.
