Aryna
Sabalenka confirmed to return to the courts at 2024
Brisbane International among Elena Rybakina, Naomi Osaka and Victoria Azarenka
World No. 2
has a tough challenge at the start of 2024 because of the large number of
points she defends. In 2023 she started with a 13-match winning streak, winning
the WTA 500 Adelaide Open title and then the Australian Open in what was her
first Grand Slam.
Aryna
Sabalenka confirmed her presence at the WTA 500 Brisbane Open which starts on
31 December and will be the top seed in a tournament that promises much with
the presence of world No. 4 Elena Rybakina and other former world No. 1s with
Victoria Azarenka and the expected return of Naomi Osaka.
"I’m
excited about starting my 2024 Australian season in Brisbane," world No. 2
said.
"Australia
holds a special place in my heart after winning my first Grand Slam there,”
Sabalenka added.
“I can’t
wait to make my debut at the Brisbane International and play in front of the
Queensland tennis fans."
The
Belarusian will be looking to score as many points as possible on the
Australian hard courts to avoid slipping too far from the top of the rankings,
which she lost at the WTA Finals after Iga Swiatek's title.
Brisbane
Open will also have its men's main draw, although it is in ATP 250 category.
Anyway, it is expected that great tennis players will attend the event in
preparation for the first Grand Slam of the year that starts on January 14 and
will last for 15 days.
Among those
confirmed for the ATP are American youngstar Ben Shelton, 3-times Grand Slam
champion Andy Murray and world No. 14 Grigor Dimitrov:
“I’m
thrilled to be playing the Brisbane International for the first time in
2024," said Ben Shelton.
"My
first trip to Australia was last January, and it was such an amazing
experience. The fans were so welcoming,” world No. 15 added.