Aryna Sabalenka is feeling no pressure before the World No. 2 starts her title defence at the Australian Open 2024. The 25-year-old had claimed her maiden Grand Slam title at the Happy Slam last year in a tough three-set victory.
Since then, Sabalenka has been in fine touch. After her run at the Australian Open 2023, the Belarusian made the semifinals at the French Open and Wimbledon. As if her year wasn’t great already, she then reached the Final of the US Open, only to lose to Coco Gauff in three sets.
Sabalenka has started 2024, right where she left off in 2023. The world number 2 is going to enter the Australian Open 2024 off the back of a final run at Brisbane International.
Her run at the WTA 250 tournament saw her win in straight sets against players like Daria Kasatkina and Victoria Azarenka before falling to a familiar foe in Elena Rybakina.
For the unaware, it was Rybakina against whom Sabalenka had claimed her maiden and only Grand Slam title in Australia. Despite that loss, Sabalenka is entering the Australian Open 2024 in high spirits and seems to be under no pressure to defend her title.