World number one Aryna Sabalenka has taken an unconventional route into the 2026 tennis season, using exhibition matches and tactical experimentation to fine-tune her game as she eyes a third Australian Open crown at Melbourne Park.
Instead of opting for a prolonged break after a demanding 11-month season, the Belarusian chose to stay match-ready through a series of high-profile exhibitions. Appearances in Atlanta and New York were followed by a much-talked-about “Battle of the Sexes” encounter against Nick Kyrgios in Dubai, giving Sabalenka a testing environment to trial new elements in her game.
The approach has already paid dividends. Sabalenka opened her 2026 campaign by lifting the Brisbane title, showcasing not just her trademark power but also a more varied attacking style, including frequent serve-and-volley plays and softer touches at the net- tools she believes will be crucial heading into the season’s first Grand Slam, which begins on Sunday.
“I had a great off-season, so I was really recovered and ready,” Sabalenka told the media. “I played extra exhibitions, but I think they all made sense … good matches to test a couple things that I’d been working on during the pre-season. “I felt exhausted after Atlanta and New York, but I had one or two days off, so I felt recovered. I had a great preparation. Then there was a really high-intensity match against Nick which was also part of my preparation. By the end of the pre-season, I felt strong and ready.”
The 27-year-old narrowly missed out on a historic hat-trick at the Australian Open last year, falling to Madison Keys in the final, and she remains cautious about the depth of competition she faces this time around as she chases a fifth Grand Slam title.
Among the leading contenders is Iga Swiatek, who is seeking to complete her career Grand Slam while also mounting a challenge to reclaim the world number one ranking.
“It’s actually not only about me and Iga,” Sabalenka said. “It’s Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula. I don’t want to forget anyone right now. “But it’s crazy to think that we only played once last year. We haven’t played this year yet. I hope we’re going to play more often this season. There are so many great players I have great rivalries with.”
Consistency has been a hallmark of Sabalenka’s recent success. She has not failed to reach at least the quarterfinals of any Grand Slam she has entered since 2022, a streak she credits to maintaining balance away from the court.
“The thing that’s been working for me well is balancing,” Sabalenka said. “When it’s a match day, I’m fully focused, fully prepared. But when it’s an off day, I do my hitting, then I go for dinner or for a walk to disconnect from the tennis world for a little moment, just so I feel fresh and ready to go next day.”
As the Australian Open approaches, Sabalenka appears both physically primed and mentally refreshed, a combination she hopes will carry her back to the top of the podium in Melbourne.
