Sabalenka: "I want to play against Swiatek many more times this season"

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 16 Jan 2026 | 08.13

Aryna Sabalenka's desire to face Swiatek. Photo: gettyimages

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Great rivalries must be forged through constant duels at the top. Aryna Sabalenka is aware that everyone expected to see constant clashes with the woman who poses the biggest challenge to her at the summit of world tennis, Iga Swiatek, but they only faced each other once in 2025. Prior to the 2026 Australian Open, the world number 1 was clear about her wishes for this new year.

It would be foolish to question the tremendous favoritism with which Aryna Sabalenka faces this 2026 Australian Open. As the world number 1, a multiple Grand Slam champion, and with an excessive ambition to redeem herself from the painful final loss last year, the Belarusian spoke with accredited media at the tournament, reflecting on some interesting aspects of her tennis career and her personal perception of it.

Sabalenka aims to be a role model beyond the tennis courts

"I have always wanted to be more than just a tennis player and to become an inspiration for an entire generation. I aspire to be a role model as an athlete and to promote my persona with brands that truly represent me. My main goal is to find the balance between a very professional life and fun, to show that one can be approachable and happy without compromising maximum focus on my professional performance," stated the Belarusian with depth.

Asked about her routines off the court, the world number 1 was firm. "I feel a bit embarrassed to admit that I am not good at studying or have the habit of reading. I believe that the only thing I excel at in life is tennis, which is why I dedicated myself to it," chuckled the woman who claimed to have ended December tired due to the numerous exhibitions she played but is now ready for the challenge of winning this 2026 Australian Open.

Swiatek leads 8-5 in head-to-head matches against Sabalenka, but they only played once in 2025

"Losing the final last year to Keys was very painful. She played at a high level, outperformed me, and it was very difficult to come to terms with it. I struggled for a while after that match. I hope I can do better in this edition," commented before addressing questions about her rivalry with Iga Swiatek. While both are fighting for the top and sharing great successes, that intimate rivalry that was anticipated years ago has not fully manifested.

That match at the Mutua Madrid Open put the spotlight on them, but chance or the inconsistency of one or the other has prevented them from facing each other more often in major events. In 2025, they only met in the Roland Garros semifinal. "It's crazy to think that we only faced each other once last year. It's not just about us, as there are many other players who can achieve great titles, but the truth is that I would like to play against Iga many more times this season," affirmed an excited Aryna Sabalenka about what she can accomplish in this 2026 Australian Open.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sabalenka: "Quiero jugar contra Swiatek muchas más veces esta temporada"