AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 18, 2026

Aryna Sabalenka

Press Conference

A. SABALENKA/T. Rakotomanga Rajaonah

6-4, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Aryna, first match out of the way. How did it feel out there tonight?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, super happy to be through this match. I think I didn't really start at my best and was struggling to find my rhythm. But then I feel like in the last two games of the first set I found my rhythm, and I was able to step in and play a little bit better tennis.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. 22 times to the net. Is that a number we can expect ongoing now? How did you rate your work out there tonight?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I prefer to be unpredictable (smiling).

But yeah, I was definitely working on serve and volley. I'm super happy to be able to do it on the match. You know, on the practice is one thing, but to be able to be kind of, like, fearless and go there at the match is something else.

I'm really proud I'm able to show this tennis.

Q. When you talk about trying to find your rhythm, is that a combination of playing an opponent you've never played before, being on Rod Laver for the first time in the tournament?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I mean, first of all, it's the first match, right? You're always kind of trying to figure out where you are. And, also, that opponent that I never played before. I haven't really watched her games before and kind of, like, lose her out of my radar. So I didn't really know much about her. I was just struggling to find the rhythm of her shots.

I'm happy that I could manage and I could get this win in straight sets.

Q. You mentioned it took you a little while to get your rhythm in the first set. What was it about her game that made you struggle?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I think, no, not the game, but the serve was really a little bit awkward for me. It was not that heavy, not that fast. I was trying to find the perfect position for me to return. Also, the balls were flying a lot.

She was serving really good targets. It was combination of couple things. But then at the very end I felt like I have to step in and I have to try to put as much pressure as I can on her. I did it, and it I really worked well.

Q. Your jewelry collaboration with Material Good, very big and very flashy. What do you make of the collaboration? How did the decision come together?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I'm super excited about this partnership. Like, first time I met them, I think last year in New York. I even bought my birthday gift there. I really love the boutique they have. I love the team. They're very creative, very fun. Really fits my team well.

Yeah, I'm super excited of this partnership because they give me this space to design things, to be creative, to be unique. They understand me really well. They know me well. They do such a beautiful pieces like this.

I'm super excited about this partnership.

Q. Are you hoping to bring them to market? It's a long-term collaboration, so throughout the year we'll see different pieces?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's a long-term for sure partnership. Yeah, we're going to create a lot of cool pieces.

Q. Back to the net stuff that's been obviously a priority for you. Every year you turn up here you seem to be adding constantly to your game. How important do you think constantly evolving as a player is to your success?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I think it's very important to always working on your game, always developing as a player, always searching for something that is new, that is going to help your game. I think that's the key to be consistent, always bring something new on the table.

I think over the years we've developed my game so much. We added a lot of new things. Yeah, I'm proud of the work we've done together with my team.

Q. This was your opponent's first time ever at the Australian Open. Do you remember your first time ever playing here? Is there a memory that stands out?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I think it was against Ashleigh Barty at Rod Laver. Probably not the best experience to have for the first time, facing Australian at the Rod Laver.

But I'm also proud the connection I was able to build with the fans since then. That wasn't my best experience, to be honest. It was also cool because she was in the top 30, I think. For me, was a really big match, really big opportunity to see where my game at.

Even though I lost that match, but I really enjoyed, and I learned a lot from that loss.

Q. I couldn't hear the on-court interview, but you took a selfie with Roger and Rod Laver. Did you see them during the match?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Of course, I did. I'm a huge fan. Yeah, the whole match I was just telling myself, do not look there, please, do not look (smiling).

But yeah, it's incredible. I would never thought that Roger Federer and Rod Laver are going to be sitting first row watching my match. Yeah, that's unbelievable.

Q. Do you think that's why you came to net so much?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yes, of course, I just wanted to impress Roger with my game. I just couldn't do tweener, but it's okay (smiling). Next time...