Aryna Sabalenka eager to kick off 2026 at the Brisbane International

The world number one hopes local fans will once again turn out in force for the Australian WTA 500 event.

"Hi guys, I'm super excited to come back to Brisbane. Australia always feels like home and I'm super excited to come back to the Queensland Tennis Center," she said in a video message posted by the tournament on X.

The tournament, scheduled for 4-11 January, has become a meaningful stop for the world No. 1, who first committed to playing in Brisbane back in 2024.

That debut appearance proved memorable as she surged to the final with four straight-set victories before falling to Elena Rybakina.

Sabalenka returned at the start of the current season and went one better, claiming the title after a hard-fought final against world No. 90 Polina Kudermetova.

Although the top seed went in as a clear favourite, she was forced to recover from an early setback, losing an initial lead and dropping the first set. She rebuilt impressively to seal a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 win and lift the Brisbane trophy for the first time.

Her season closed with a runner-up finish at the WTA Finals, after which the Belarusian took a brief holiday in the Maldives to decompress following a demanding year.

She will soon resume practice before travelling to Australia, where she is set to be the No. 1 favourite for the 2026 Brisbane crown. 

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