Aryna Sabalenka says she has always liked “really tough challenges” and therefore she enjoys being in this position where everyone wants to beat her.
Since winning her third Grand Slam title at the US Open, the Belarusian has also been the top-ranked player in the game.
At one point during the second half of the year, the world No. 1 was on a 15-match winning streak.
Although Sabalenka failed to win the WTA Finals title, she was by far the best player in the second part of 2024 and she also started the 2025 season by winning the Brisbane International.
Now, she is entering the Australian Open as the No. 1 seed and targeting to become the first woman since Martina Hingis in 1999 to complete a three-peat at Melbourne Park.
Aryna Sabalenka© Australian Open/YouTube
Sabalenka: That’s why I work hard to make sure that nobody gets to me
“I think we all different. But for me, just always been something about my character. I always liked to compete. I always liked to accept, like, really tough challenges,” the 26-year-old explained.
“For me being the one to chase, I mean, I don’t know, I like it. I like that feeling. That’s what drives me and help me to stay motivated because I know that I have target on my back. I really like to have it. That’s why I work really hard, make sure that nobody can gets to me.
“Oh, my God, it sounds too cocky, isn’t it (laughter)?”
Sabalenka’s last Australian Open loss came in 2022 January when she lost to Kaia Kanepi in the round-of-16.
Since then, the Belarusian has won her last 14 matches in Melbourne with only one set lost.
This year, the top seed will be kicking off her Melbourne title defense by taking on 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens in the first round.
Tennis World USA