Aryna Sabalenka Opens 2026 Australian Open with a Win-and a Bit of Flair
MELBOURNE, Australia - Aryna Sabalenka isn’t wasting time-on or off the court. Just minutes after wrapping up her first-round win at the Australian Open, the world No. 1 strolled into the press room still in her match dress, all smiles, and ready to talk. No racquet bag this time, but she did bring something new: a sparkling set of jewelry from her latest partnership.
Sabalenka’s straight-sets win over French wild card Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah-6-4, 6-1-wasn’t as simple as the scoreline might suggest. The opening set had its share of turbulence as Sabalenka worked to find her rhythm against an unfamiliar opponent. But once she settled in, the second set was all business.
“First match is always a little tricky,” she admitted. “You’re trying to figure out where you are, and I hadn’t played her before. Honestly, I didn’t know much about her game, so it took me some time to adjust to her rhythm.”
That adjustment period was brief. After a tight first set, Sabalenka found her footing and began dictating play with the kind of power and precision that’s become her signature. She came to the net 22 times-an aggressive stat line that speaks to her confidence and willingness to mix things up early in the tournament.
And while Sabalenka is known for her baseline firepower, the net play might’ve had a little extra motivation behind it. Watching from the front row? None other than tennis royalty: Roger Federer and Rod Laver.
“I’m a huge fan,” Sabalenka said, still buzzing. “The whole match I was telling myself, ‘Do not look there, please, do not look!’
But it’s unbelievable. I never thought Roger Federer and Rod Laver would be sitting front row watching my match.”
She even snagged a selfie with the legends after the win-a moment that clearly meant the world to her. And yes, she joked about her net-rushing tactics: “Of course, I just wanted to impress Roger!
I couldn’t do a tweener, but it’s okay. Next time…”
Off the court, Sabalenka is also making moves. Her press conference look included pieces from her new jewelry collaboration with Material Good, a boutique she discovered in New York last year.
“I’m super excited about this partnership,” she said. “They give me space to be creative, to design, to be unique. They really understand me and my style.”
The centerpiece? A necklace that appears to be a nod to the evil eye charm she’s worn for years-an accessory that’s become something of a good luck talisman for her.
So while Sabalenka’s first-round performance may not have been flawless from the jump, it was exactly what she needed: a straight-sets win, a chance to work through early nerves, and a moment to savor under the Rod Laver Arena lights-with a couple of tennis icons looking on.
As the top seed, the expectations are high. But if this opener is any indication, Sabalenka’s not just here to meet them-she’s here to own the moment, every step of the way.