Aryna Sabalenka has already experienced a whirlwind of emotions in just the first few weeks of the 2025 season. The Belarusian powerhouse kicked off her year with a title-winning run at the Brisbane International, setting the stage for what looked like another dominant season. Then came the Australian Open. The defending champion arrived in Melbourne with history on her mind. Having won the tournament twice in a row, she was chasing a rare three-peat. She powered through the draw, reaching the final without dropping a set. But just when she seemed poised to lift her third consecutive trophy, Madison Keys had other plans. In a thrilling championship match, Sabalenka fell short in a 3-6, 6-2, 5-7 battle. That loss hit hard.

While the World No.1 took a brief break from the courts, Sabalenka didn’t exactly disappear. Instead, she made headlines in a different way—by landing the cover of Flaunt Magazine. The World No.1 stunned in a bold photoshoot, showing off ten different looks. The Belarusian tennis player even gave fans a glimpse behind the scenes, sharing snippets of the shoot on social media. It was a reminder that Sabalenka isn’t just a force on the tennis court—she knows how to make a statement off it too.

But now, the break is over. The 26-year-old tennis star has officially touched down in Qatar, gearing up for her return to competition at the Doha Open. The WTA 1000 event kicks off on February 9, and she’s wasting no time getting back into rhythm. She recently posted a video on her Instagram story, practicing her signature backhand—with her trademark grunt ringing through the court.

Aryna Sabalenka moves ahead from the frustrating loss at the Australian Open

There was a lot riding on this Australian Open. Aryna Sabalenka was bidding to become just the sixth woman – and the first since Martina Hingis in 1999 – to win the Australian Open title in three consecutive years.

Aryna Sabalenka’s frustration was clear as she left it all on the court—literally. After a quick handshake with Keys, she smashed her racket near the sidelines before heading off to cool down. But by the time she returned for the trophy presentation, she was composed.

At her press conference, she explained why she needed that moment. “I just needed to throw those negative emotions at the end just so I could give a speech, not stand there being disrespectful,” the former Australian Open champion said. “I was just trying to let it go and be a good person, be respectful.”

She wasn’t letting one loss define her. The World No.1 further stated, “It’s OK. I mean, I’m the one who knows that after tough losses, there is good wins. So I’ll keep working and make sure that next time, if I’ll be in this situation, I’ll play definitely better.”

The Belarusian tennis player has already checked off a title win, a heartbreaking loss, and a magazine cover in 2025—and it’s only February. But if there’s one thing she’s shown time and time again, it’s that setbacks don’t keep her down for long.

Can she turn the page and make Doha the start of another winning streak?