Aryna Sabalenka Explains Adjustments to her Game Ahead of the Australian Open

Aryna Sabalenka has successfully defended her Brisbane crown.

Aryna Sabalenka Explains Adjustments to her Game Ahead of the Australian Open

Aryna Sabalenka (image via Instagram @arynasabalenka)

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Aryna Sabalenka has her 2026 season up and running in the best possible manner after overcoming Marta Kostyuk in straight sets. The Belarusian edged ahead of Victoria Azarenka to become the third-highest collector of WTA titles by an active tennis player.

Speaking after the match, Sabalenka highlighted the differences in her game compared to last season. The Belarusian believes that she’s more than just a baseline player and has added variety to her arsenal. Sabalenka said in her post-match press conference:

I’m no longer just a baseline hitter. I’ve changed my playing style a lot; I feel like I can do everything on the court. I have good touch and several game plans. I trust my instincts, I have experience, and I’ve reached a high level of maturity as a tennis player. I’ve been working on this for a long time, and it’s great to see it paying off.

Sabalenka is arguably the tallest WTA player of all time, which gives her the edge thanks to her serve and monstrous power game. However, it has its fair share of disadvantages, with the main issues coming from the agility.

However, Sabalenka believes that she has worked on her net game a lot during the off-season, and hopes to see her efforts rewarded at the Australian Open. The World No.1 will be hoping to reclaim the Melbourne crown she lost to Madison Keys in the final last year.

Aryna Sabalenka defends Brisbane crown

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka delivered an impressive performance to win the Brisbane International, giving her ideal momentum heading into the Australian Open. The world number one showcased her authority throughout the tournament. Her victory underlined her strong form at the start of the season.

Aryna Sabalenka (3)
Aryna Sabalenka (Image via X/f)

In the final on Sunday, January 11, Sabalenka defeated Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in straight sets. The match ended 6–4, 6–3 and lasted just 79 minutes. Sabalenka maintained control from start to finish with her aggressive style of play.

The Belarusian star set the tone early, dictating rallies with powerful groundstrokes. Kostyuk, despite an excellent run to the final, struggled to counter Sabalenka’s pace and consistency. Sabalenka closed out the opening set without allowing her opponent to settle.

As the match progressed, Sabalenka tightened her grip on the second set and calmly sealed the victory. This triumph marked her third Brisbane International title. It also became her 22nd WTA title overall and her first since lifting the US Open trophy in September.

Prize money earned by Aryna Sabalenka in Brisbane

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka produced a commanding performance to defeat Marta Kostyuk in the final of the 2026 Brisbane International. The world No. 1 secured the title with a 6–4, 6–3 victory, adding another trophy to her collection. This win marked the 22nd singles title of her WTA career and reinforced her dominance early in the season.

Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka (via US Open)

Sabalenka’s success in Brisbane continued her perfect record against Kostyuk. She now leads their head-to-head meetings 5–0 and has not dropped a single set in those encounters. Throughout the tournament, Sabalenka was in complete control, winning all five of her matches in straight sets.

As a WTA 500 event, the Brisbane International awarded significant ranking points. Sabalenka earned the full 500 points for winning the tournament, raising her total to 10,870 after previously losing points from last year’s edition. Kostyuk collected 325 points as the runner-up, which pushed her up six places to No. 20 in the live rankings, while semi-finalists Jessica Pegula and Karolina Muchova each received 195 points.

The tournament also offered substantial prize money for the top performers. Sabalenka received $214,530 for lifting the trophy, while Kostyuk took home $134,600 for her run to the final. Pegula and Muchova earned $77,115 each for reaching the semi-finals, with prize money distributed to players at every stage of the competition.

Also Read: Daniil Medvedev Explains Mindset Shift in Brisbane After a Disastrous 2025