Aryna Sabalenka thrashed Lucia Bronzetti 6-3, 6-0 as she technically opened her new season at the
Brisbane International albeit she has played recent exhibition matches against Ons Jabeur and the World Tennis League so like a few others is fresher on court.
Sabalenka who will aim to seal a second Grand Slam title in 2024 had a hilarious dig at the US Open crowd in her post match interview on court praising the Brisbane International crowd and wishing they were there in New York.
Losing to Coco Gauff in the final of the US Open, she said that if she had the support she had in Brisbane in New York, she would probably win. She said similar actually after losing the final in tears saying: "You guys could’ve supported like this during the match." So ahead of the Australian Open, she will hope to count on better crowd support in a happier hunting ground.
"I’m super happy to be back in Brisbane, Australia. I really missed you so much in all the Slams. Guys, if I would have your support at the US Open, probably I would win that one. Can you come at the US Open next year?," she said.
"But yeah, I’m super happy with the performance and I think played a really good match. I just hope that I can keep the same level in each match," Sabalenka added.