BRISBANE: World number one Aryna Sabalenka said on Saturday she isn’t out for revenge after losing her Australian Open crown in a shock loss to American Madison Keys last year.
Sabalenka went into the final at Melbourne Park aiming to become the first woman since Martina Hingis to win three consecutive Australian Open titles.
But she was undone by Keys, who won her maiden Slam in an inspired performance on Rod Laver Arena.
The Belarusian said there was no difference coming to Australia as the champion or as the runner-up.
“It doesn’t matter which tournament it is,” she said ahead of a warm-up in Brisbane.
“If I’m defending champion, if I lost in the first round last year, the goal is always the same — to bring my best tennis and to improve my game.
“Honestly, that’s it. I always just focus on myself, on developing my game, and making sure that I’m 100 percent there.”
Sabalenka had an unusual lead-in to the Australian Open starting this month, playing Nick Kyrgios in a much-criticised “Battle of the Sexes” in Dubai.
But she said she was glad to be back in Australia, where she enjoys the conditions and has had great success.
“I definitely don’t like the heat, but the people, yeah,” she said. “I think the atmosphere — it’s always a full crowd [in Brisbane].”
Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2026