Aryna Sabalenka’s 2026 resolution: The “hunter” prepares Australian Open revenge on the Brisbane River
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka at the WTA Brisbane kicked off her 2026 campaign with a relaxed river cruise and a clear warning to her rivals: despite her US Open title, she remains a “hunter” obsessed with righting the wrongs of last year’s Australian Open final
Aryna Sabalenka, Brisbane 2026 | © Tennis Australia / Tennis Majors
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka at the WTA Brisbane kicked off her 2026 campaign with a relaxed river cruise and a clear warning to her rivals: despite her US Open title, she remains a “hunter” obsessed with righting the wrongs of last year’s Australian Open final.
Aryna Sabalenka looks as comfortable on a boat as she does on a baseline. Gliding down the Brisbane River on New Year’s Day, the 27-year-old tennis star joked about tiger sharks and took selfies against the city skyline, but the relaxed atmosphere belied a fierce internal fire. For the world No. 1, the 2026 season is not about defending territory; it is about reclaiming what slipped through her fingers twelve months ago at Melbourne Park.
“I’m still a hunter,” Sabalenka told reporters as the boat passed under the Story Bridge. “I have my goals to be hunting for. Number one is a great position to be in, and I’d love to be the hunted, but in my mind, the hunt isn’t over”.
The 2025 Shadow: “Righting the wrong”
While Sabalenka ended her 2025 season on a high by capturing the US Open title, the memory of the Australian summer continues to provide her primary motivation. Last year, she captured the Brisbane title only to fall in a heart-wrenching, razor-thin Australian Open final in Melbourne against Madison Keys.
“That match cost me a Grand Slam title,” she admitted, referencing the “couple of errors” at the end of the 2025 Melbourne final. “It stays in the back of my mind. It’s going to keep me motivated and keep me hungry. I really hope that if I reach the last stage of the Australian Open this year, I’ll be a better player than I was last year.
Despite that heartbreak, Sabalenka views the experience as a vital stepping stone. “You’re not losing, you’re learning,” she noted, a mantra that carried her through the summer after another loss in final at Roland-Garros, to her eventual triumph in New York.
Brisbane: The home away from home
Sabalenka’s affinity for Brisbane is well-documented. She frequently describes the city as a place where she feels “at home,” a psychological comfort she believes is essential for her best tennis. This week, she faces one of the most competitive fields in the tournament’s history, with seven of the world’s top ten players in the draw : Amanda Anisimova (No. 4), Elena Rybakina (No. 5), Jessica Pegula (No. 6), Madison Keys (No. 7), Mirra Andreeva (No. 9) and Ekaterina Alexandrova (No. 10).
“It’s a great tournament, a really strong draw, and I love it,” Sabalenka said. “I need these great matches before the Australian Open. I’m not focusing on statistics or joining select groups; I’m focusing on bringing my best tennis and fighting for each match”.
The “Revenge” Mission: Sabalenka vs. Kyrgios
Beyond the official WTA schedule, Sabalenka’s off-season was highlighted by a high-profile exhibition match in Dubai against Nick Kyrgios. While the atmosphere was light, Sabalenka’s competitive streak was clearly piqued by the loss (6-3, 6-3).
“I would definitely do it again. I need revenge,” she laughed, already plotting the tactical adjustments for a rematch. “Next time, we’ll have a different format. I’ll keep the full court for Nick, but I want two serves. That would even our level a bit more”.
She spoke warmly of Kyrgios’s return to the tour in Brisbane, noting his “unpredictable” talent. “I was happy to challenge him and make him work, to see a man getting tight and going for his full game,” she said19. “It was a really cool experience”.
