Aryna Sabalenka has said that the tennis schedule is “insane” and she would rather risk fines in tournaments. “Well, the season is definitely insane, and that’s not good for all of us, as you see so many players getting injured,” Sabalenka said. “What Serena did, the rules were different. Right now, like last season, by the end of the season, because I didn’t play enough of 500 [level] events, they fine us with points.”
Sabalenka said the “rules are quite tricky”. “Even though the results were really consistent, but some of the tournaments I had been playing completely sick or I’ve been really exhausted from overplaying,” she said. “So this season we will try to manage it a little bit better.”
Sabalenka played a total of 16 tournaments, had a 63-12 record and capped the year in the Battle of the Sexes match against Nick Kyrgios. She started off 2025 with a victory in Brisbane and ended it with a runner-up finish at the WTA Finals in November.
Sabalenka d. Keys 6-3 6-3
In a rematch of the 2025 AO Final, Aryna comes through
She gets her 8th consecutive win in Brisbane
She’s now won 36 of last 38 matches in Australia…
✅3rd Brisbane SF
✅3-0 in 2026It’s Aryna’s jungle & we’re just living in it
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 9, 2026
Sabalenka said the strong draw in Brisbane makes it the ideal warmup for the Australian Open.
😆’ never a dull moment around World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka — after powering past Madison Keys, who pipped her to the 2025 Australian Open title, to book her spot in a straight #BrisbaneTennis S/Final pic.twitter.com/oDQhKM5JFS https://t.co/XNoOCQZ41M
— Stephen ‡ Magyezi (@gyezi_) January 9, 2026
Aryna Sabalenka says Sharapova inspired her 2026 Australian Open kit
“It was either Serena… or I think it was Maria’s collection that was a light peach dress. I told Nike I want to bring those colors back & they did it. Now it’s my favorite dress” ❤️
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 8, 2026
“By having [so] many top players you have in the draw, it definitely helps to prepare better for the Australian Open,” Sabalenka said. “It’s important to have quality matches just so you’re preparing yourself mentally for fights, for battles. I like to challenge myself. I like to have great battles, especially heading to the Grand Slam.”
Sabalenka beat Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 6-3 on Thursday to move into the Brisbane International quarterfinals.
