World primary Aryna Sabalenka says she is “recent and able to go” in her bid for a 3rd straight Australian Open title, warning she has loads of room for enchancment.
The 26-year-old loved a sensational 2024, reaching seven finals and successful 4 titles, together with the US Open.
Her yr was kickstarted by defending her Australian Open crown, beating China’s high-flying Zheng Qinwen within the closing.
Ought to she win it once more, she is going to grow to be the primary girl to assert three straight Melbourne Park singles titles since Martina Hingis between 1997-1999.
“I really feel recent and able to go,” the Belarusian mentioned, in keeping with the WTA web site Thursday, after arriving for the Brisbane Worldwide, which begins on Sunday forward of the Australian Open from January 12.
“I like Australia, and I all the time come right here hungry and all the time come right here prepared.
“I really feel all of the assist right here, and I feel that’s the perfect factor about Australia, that individuals are actually, actually, into tennis.”
Sabalenka additionally started 2024 in Brisbane, reaching the ultimate with out shedding a set, solely to crash to Kazakstan’s Elena Rybakina within the decider.
She hung out within the low season at her dwelling in Florida earlier than heading to the Center East to arrange for Australia and can use the Brisbane match to fine-tune her Grand Slam preparations.
“You’re employed arduous on a number of issues within the pre-season,” she mentioned.
“The primary match earlier than the main match is the one the place you possibly can strive it out and see what’s going to work nicely for you and what’s not.”
Regardless of her rise via the ranks to be the participant to beat heading into 2025, Sabalenka mentioned there have been nonetheless elements of her recreation that want work.
“Oh, there are such a lot of issues to enhance,” she mentioned.
“I imply, I’m not that good with possibly my recreation on the internet in singles. There are a number of issues to enhance in my contact recreation.
“There are such a lot of issues, even my serve is inferior to I would like it to be, so there are all the time (components) to enhance.”