Aryna Sabalenka confirms her first tournament of 2025

Aryna Sabalenka was apparently very pleased with the way the Brisbane International has served him this year as she has agreed to return to the tournament in the first week of 2025.

At the start of the 2024 season, the Belarusian tennis star made her first appearance in Brisbane. And it was a successful debut since the 26-year-old fell short to Elena Rybakina in the final.

After a deep run in Brisbane, Sabalenka defended her Australian Open title without a drop set and finished her Australian swing with an 11-1 record.

This week, organizers of Australia’s WTA 500 tournament confirmed that the three-time Grand Slam champion will compete in the tournament between December 29 and January 5.

World number 3 Jessica Pegula, who was defeated by the Belarusian in the US Open final this year, was also due to start her 2025 season in Brisbane. It will be the 30-year-old American’s first appearance at the tournament.

Sabalenka was crushed by Rybakina in the Brisbane final

On her way to reaching the final of her opening tournament of 2024, the world number 2 did not drop a single set. But she had no chance against the Kazakh tennis star as the 2022 Wimbledon champion recorded a very dominant 6-0 6-3 victory.

At one point Rybakina even led 6-0 2-0. Afterwards, Sabalenka joked and tried to keep it light, but it was clear that she was not at all happy with the outcome of the match.

“A few words to my team. You did a terrible job today. Wow. 6-0, 6-3. It’s all your fault, guys! I honestly don’t know where to start. First of all, Elena, wow. Anyway thank you for those three games. We made it look like a fight. Well done, congratulations to you and your team on a great week. And see you in Melbourne,” the Belarusian told Rybakina during the trophy presentation.

However, Sabalenka will get another chance to win the Brisbane title in late December and early January.