New Delhi: Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka led the Melbourne crowd in a victory dance after her opening round win at the Australian Open.
The World No.1 defeated former US Open champion Sloane Stephens 6-3, 6-2 in the first round to begin her quest for a third straight title in imperious fashion.
Then she celebrated it with a dance upon request during on-court interview with former player Jelena Dokic. After her win, the Belarusian was asked about her tradition of posting a pre-tournament dance routine with her coaching team on social media.
“I’m not the best dancer, but I try my best,” Sabalaneka said, slightly bemused as her viral video was played on Rod Laver Arena.
“You always dance, but there’s no one in the crowd,” Dokic said, requesting Sabalenka to dance in front of the crowd, which she accepted with a smile.
“You just did your cool down, so that was good. But I have to go to the physio,” Dokic joked later, after the dance routine ended.
There is a first for everything 🤣
Aryna Sabalenka and the Rod Laver Crowd do an on court TikTok 💃
#AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/kNtQSVyFLU— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 12, 2025
Dominating force at hard-courts
Her first round win extended Sabalenka’s victory streak at hard-court majors to 15. She has a 28-1 win-loss record at hard-court Grand Slams since the beginning of the 2023 season.
At Melbourne this year, Sabalenka is eyeing to be the first woman to claim the Australian Open title on three successive occasions since Martina Hingis did it from 1997 to 1999.
It is the first time that she is seeded No.1 for the first time at a Slam. Sabalenka is also bidding to be the first top seed to win the Australian Open since Ashleigh Barty won in 2022.
“I think I kind of stepped back after a few games didn’t go well. I stepped back, and I give her a chance to come back in the match. I’m glad that in that game on 4-3 I stepped in and I was going forward to the net. I think that was the key to get back to this match,” Sabalenka, who faces Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the second round, said.
World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka defeated former US Open champion Sloane Stephens 6-3, 6-2 in the first round to begin her quest for a third straight Australian Open title. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
