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Agence France-Presse

World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka said she is “fresh and ready to go” in her bid for a third straight Australian Open title, warning she has plenty of room for improvement.
The 26-year-old enjoyed a sensational 2024, reaching seven finals and winning four titles, including the US Open.
Her year was kick-started by defending her Australian Open crown, beating China’s high-flying Zheng Qinwen in the final.
Should she triumph again, she would become the first woman to claim three straight Melbourne Park singles titles since Martina Hingis’ hat trick from 1997 to 1999.
“I feel fresh and ready to go,” the Belarusian said, according to the WTA website on Thursday, after arriving for the Brisbane International, which starts on Sunday ahead of the Australian Open from January 12.

“I love Australia and I always come here hungry and always come here ready.
“I feel all the support here, and I think that’s the best thing about Australia – that people are really, really, into tennis.”
Sabalenka also began 2024 in Brisbane, reaching the final without losing a set, only to crash to Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina in the decider.
She spent time in the off-season at her home in Florida before heading to the Middle East to prepare for Australia and will use the Brisbane tournament to fine-tune her grand slam preparations.
“You work hard on lots of things in the preseason,” she said. “The first tournament before the major tournament is the one where you can try it out and see what’s going to work well for you, and what’s not.”
Despite her rise through the ranks to be the player to beat heading into 2025, Sabalenka said there were still parts of her game that need work.
“Oh, there are so many things to improve,” she said.
“I mean, I’m not that good with maybe my game at the net in singles. There is a lot of things to improve in my touch game.
“There are so many things – even my serve is not as good as I want it to be, so there are always [elements] to improve.”


World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka eyes more grand slam success in 2025: ‘Fresh and ready to go’

‘Devastated’ Australian grand slam winner Max Purcell provisionally suspended for doping

Australian Open: former champion Stan Wawrinka, Chinese veteran Zhang Shuai get wild cards

Australian Open: Kei Nishikori, Nick Kyrgios, Belinda Bencic return with protected rankings

Australian Open

Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka poses on Tuesday during a media conference ahead of the Brisbane International tennis, a warmup tournament for the Australian Open. Photo: AFP

Sabalenka could become the first woman to win three straight Australian Open titles since Martina Hingis. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong can become hub for not just Greater Bay Area but also Asia, says tennis boss

China’s No 1 men’s player Zhang Zhizhen, seen here training at Victoria Park, is a test case for Hong Kong tennis. Photo: Handout

Michael Cheng Ming-git says the idea of a preseason in Hong Kong is gaining traction among foreign players.

China’s No 1 player Zhang Zhizhen hosts a clinic with 40 children at Victoria Park last week. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong Open: American rising star Learner Tien to carry his fine form to Victoria Park

American Learner Tien upset several higher-ranked players to finish second at the Next Gen Finals in Jeddah last week.

China’s Jerry Shang, who also played in Next Gen ATP Finals, is part of the Hong Kong Open field. Photo: Xinhua

Sport

Tennis

The 26-year-old Belarusian reached 7 finals and won 4 titles, including the Australian and US Open majors, but says she can get better


The 26-year-old Belarusian reached 7 finals and won 4 titles, including the Australian and US Open majors, but says she can get better.


WTA (Women's Tennis Association)