Aryna Sabalenka has firmly established herself as the dominant force in women’s tennis, and as she advances in the 2025 Australian Open, she looks poised to extend her reign. The Belarusian powerhouse, who claimed both the Australian Open and US Open titles in 2024, has backed Carlos Alcaraz to achieve similar success on the ATP Tour this season. However, her own form suggests she remains the player to beat in the WTA circuit.
The world number one opened her Australian Open campaign with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory over Sloane Stephens, needing just over an hour to dispatch the former US Open champion. Now into the second round, Sabalenka is on the hunt for her fourth Grand Slam title, having previously won the US Open and two Australian Open titles.
Her dominance on hard courts is reflected in her staggering 15-match winning streak, making her the first woman since Victoria Azarenka (2012-2014) to achieve such a feat at Melbourne Park. Since the start of the 2023 season, she boasts a near-flawless 28-1 record on hard courts, underlining her consistency and superiority.
Future Uncertainty Amid Tennis Supremacy
Despite her overwhelming success, Sabalenka has hinted at a looming crossroads in her career. The 26-year-old acknowledges that retirement is creeping closer, joking, “Can you believe it? People retire at 30!” While she remains at the peak of her powers, she is contemplating life beyond tennis, particularly her desire to start a family.
“I don’t know, it’s a tough question,” she admitted when asked about her retirement plans. “I hope I’ll have a family. I love kids, I want to have kids, and I don’t want to have my first kid at 35. I really want to have a kid and come back and see how hard you should work in life to get things.”
Her comments suggest she may take inspiration from Naomi Osaka, who recently returned to the WTA Tour after giving birth. If Sabalenka does step away to start a family, she could follow a similar comeback path, though for now, she remains laser-focused on her goals.
Backing Carlos Alcaraz for ATP Success
While Sabalenka continues to set the standard in women’s tennis, she has thrown her support behind Carlos Alcaraz, predicting another big season for the young Spaniard. Like Sabalenka, Alcaraz captured two Grand Slam titles in 2024 and is widely regarded as the future of men’s tennis. With his explosive style and fearless approach, he has drawn comparisons to Rafael Nadal, and Sabalenka believes he has what it takes to dominate the ATP circuit.
Can Anyone Stop Sabalenka?
Despite potential off-court distractions, there are no signs of Sabalenka slowing down. Her power, aggression, and improved mental resilience have made her a nightmare opponent, and with each victory, she cements her legacy as one of the most dominant players of her generation.
As she continues her Australian Open title defense, the question remains: can anyone challenge Aryna Sabalenka? At this rate, the answer seems to be a resounding no.
