Sabalenka Shakes Off Nerves Under Tennis Royalty Spotlight
Under the brightest lights in Melbourne, with tennis royalty watching from the front row, Aryna Sabalenka reminded everyone why she stands at the very top of the women’s game. The world number one opened her Australian Open campaign with a straight-sets win, but this was far more than a routine first-round match.
From the opening points, the pressure was obvious. Sabalenka stepped onto Rod Laver Arena knowing Roger Federer and Rod Laver themselves were seated just meters away. Two legends. Countless Grand Slam titles between them. And a champion who suddenly looked human. Her serve was broken early, her timing was off and the unforced errors crept in. For a brief moment, the upset threat felt real.
Across the net stood French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah, ranked outside the top 100, fearless and swinging freely. She took advantage of Sabalenka’s nerves and pushed hard in that opening set. This is where the match mattered. Not because of the scoreline, but because of what came next.
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Sabalenka steadied herself. She slowed the pace, trusted her power and leaned on experience earned through years at the top. The mistakes faded. The winners started landing. By the end of the first set, control had shifted. In the second, it was unmistakable. Sabalenka raised her level, rattled off games in quick succession and closed the door with authority.
This win matters because it highlights the challenge of being number one. Every opponent plays freely. Every crowd watches closely. And every match carries expectation. Sabalenka has now reached the latter stages of nearly every Grand Slam she’s played in over the past two seasons and Australia has become her strongest hunting ground. Two titles here. One final last year. And a record that few can match on these courts.
What stood out most was not just the power or the result, but the composure. Sabalenka admitted afterward she felt the weight of the moment. Yet she handled it. That ability to survive an uncomfortable start and still dominate is what separates champions from contenders.
As the tournament unfolds, the path ahead will only get tougher. Stronger opponents are coming. The spotlight will grow brighter. But if this opening performance showed anything, it’s that Aryna Sabalenka knows how to absorb pressure, adapt and deliver when it matters most.
Stay with us as the Australian Open continues and keep watching as the world’s best push toward history on one of tennis’s biggest stages.
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