What could be better than starting the 2025 season with a win? Aryna Sabalenka has begun preparing for her third defense at the Australian Open, and she is off to an amazing start. The World No.1 clinched the Brisbane International on Sunday. As she lifted the trophy, she thanked her team for their unconditional support, but not without teasing them first.

Sabalenka faced Polina Kudermetova in the final and overcame a rocky start. The Belarusian tennis star struggled with her serve early on, dropping the first set of the tournament 4-6. However, she tightened her game on the second set. Losing just five points behind her serve, she attacked Kudermetova’s returns and steadied her baseline play. The decisive turnaround helped her clinch the match 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in 1 hour and 47 minutes.

After the trophy presentation ceremony, Sabalenka didn’t hold back her appreciation—or her playful humor.

“Last but not least… well guys, well done! Definitely much better work than last year,” she said, addressing her team. “I don’t know what to say; you guys have always been there for me. I will never get tired of saying thank you so much for all the hard work you’ve done for me, for being there for me no matter what. And I am really proud.” She then cheekily added, “Keep saying? You feel good? I was so good, you know, and now I lost it. So whatever, thank you.”

This victory was particularly significant for the 26-year-old who had been defeated in last year’s Brisbane final by Elena Rybakina. Returning as the No. 1 seed, Sabalenka defeated opponents Renata Zarazúa, Yulia Putintseva, Marie Bouzková, Mirra Andreeva, and Kudermetova to lift her 18th career title.

This tournament was preparation for the upcoming Australian Open taking place in a week. Talking about the tournament ahead, she said, “I definitely feel confident in my game. I’m just excited. I love playing there. I love to fight for my dream. That’s the conditions where I feel really comfortable in. I’m just super excited heading to the Australian Open.”

On men’s tennis side of things: Jiri Lehecka claimed his second ATP Tour title at the Brisbane International presented by Evie on Sunday, after Reilly Opelka was forced to retire early in the first set due to a back injury.

If she manages to defend her crown, she will be able to break a record that has eluded even Serena Williams. 

Aryna Sabalenka sets her sights on making history

With the Australian Open looming, Aryna Sabalenka is chasing history. If she manages to defend her crown, she will become the first woman since Martina Hingis to win three consecutive Australian Open titles, a feat last achieved in 1997, 1998, and 1999. Even Serena Williams couldn’t crack this record, as her streak ended after back-to-back wins in 2009 and 2010. Williams withdrew from the tournament in 2011, stating her need for rehabilitation due to her foot injury.

Speaking about the possibility of etching her name alongside Hingis, Sabalenka admitted to feeling the weight of the achievement but kept her focus clear. “I saw, I don’t know how we say, Twitter tweet. Someone post, whatever, saying that it’s been a while since someone won three Australian Opens in a row. I mean, it’s a little bit cool to achieve such an incredible goal, dream of so many young players. But once again, I think I better focus on myself. If I’ll be able to bring my best tennis, I know that I’m able to do that. But yeah, I prefer to stay focused on myself,” she said to the press before the Brisbane International.

With her first WTA 500 title of the year under her belt, can Aryna Sabalenka make history by winning her third consecutive Australian Open title?