The world’s tennis number two Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) and the fourth Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) will start the new season of the tournament in Brisbane. Former world’s number one Naomi Osaka (Japan) has already announced that she will also compete in the WTA 500 Brisbane International, which returns in the first week of January after a three-year hiatus initially caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 25-year-old Aryna Sabalenka will be in the main draw alongside compatriot and two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka to begin preparations for the defense of her Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park later in the month.
“Australia has a special place in my heart after I won my first Slam title here. I can’t wait to make my debut in Brisbane and play in front of the tennis fans in Queensland”, commented Aryna Sabalenka, who triumphed at the Australian Open at the end of January this year after success over Elena Rybakina.
Aryna Sabalenka has been ranked world No. 1 in singles and has also been world No. 1 in doubles by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). She has won one Major singles title, at the 2023 Australian Open, and two Major doubles titles, at the 2019 US Open and the 2021 Australian Open, both partnering Elise Mertens. She has won 19 career titles in total, 13 in singles and six in doubles.
Elena Rybakina has a career-high singles ranking of world No 3. She is also the first player from Kazakhstan to win a title at a major tournament, claiming the 2022 Wimbledon Championships. Rybakina has reached thirteen other finals on the WTA Tour, winning four further tournaments, including two WTA 1000 titles at the 2023 Indian Wells Open and the 2023 Italian Open.
