Women’s world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is off to a great start in the new year after she followed up on her doubles win from Sunday by defeating Cristina Bucsa, 6-0, 6-1, in her maiden singles match of the year at the Brisbane International on Tuesday. After the game, the Belarusian addressed some questions from the media in a press conference.
Can’t start the year any better 🔥🐯
Aryna Sabalenka dominates Bucsa 6-1, 6-0 to begin her 2026 campaign.#BrisbaneTennis pic.twitter.com/sFteEPY6Qy
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) January 6, 2026
While everyone congratulated Sabalenka on her dominating win, one of the journalists asked her about whether this win was a strong response to the critics who had questioned her commitment to play the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition game against Nick Kyrgios in Dubai last year.
The Belarusian said, “I mean, guys, what I’m sad about is that some people got it wrong, the whole idea of that event. I don’t care. You know, I feel like there’s always going to be people who don’t like you, don’t respect you, don’t support you. However, many people support me who really cheer me on and find inspiration in me, and I’m focusing on that part.”
She added, “I’m not even thinking about that exhibition. It was fun. It was a great challenge. I think we brought so many eyes on tennis. It wasn’t about proving something to anyone. It was about to show that tennis can be really huge, and we can bring, like, a lot of attention to the exhibition match, which usually never happens, and we just proved that, that’s all what it was about, and fun.”
Sabalenka concluded, “And there are a lot of people who supported us, and I’m just focusing on that. Going into this match, I was just playing my tennis. I was focusing on my game, on things that I was working on. That’s it.”
Aryna Sabalenka Reflected on How She Stays Competitive on the Court
The Belarusian said, “Well, I think because throughout the year, I learned how to be ready for whatever happens on court, so whenever I go out there, I’m ready to compete. I’m ready for things are not going well, and I’m ready to bring the fight. So I think that’s kind of mentality helps me to bring this kind of level.”
She added, “I mean, I was surprised with my serve-and-volley points. You know, I mean, I was practicing, I was working on that, but I wasn’t sure if it’s gonna, you know, go my way on the match. But I’m happy that I was able to practice that on the match. I mean, I worked really hard, so I wasn’t really surprised with the level.”
Sabalenka is scheduled to play her doubles quarterfinals at the Brisbane International on Wednesday and will feature in her round of 16 clash at the same event on Thursday.
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