Aryna Sabalenka Defends Women's Singles Title at Australian Open

Sabalenka Wins as a Neutral Athlete Due to Belarus' Support of Ukraine War

Aryna Sabalenka has successfully defended her women's singles title at the Australian Open, becoming the first woman to win back-to-back titles in 11 years. The Belarusian athlete again competed as a neutral athlete due to her country's support of Russia in the ongoing war against Ukraine.

Sabalenka's Dominant Victory

In a dominant performance, Sabalenka defeated Qinwen Zheng 6-3, 6-2 in the final on Saturday evening in Melbourne. The victory marked her second Australian Open title, following her triumph in 2023. Sabalenka's victory was never in doubt as she controlled the match with her powerful serve and aggressive baseline play.

Despite her success, Sabalenka remains ineligible to compete under the Belarusian flag due to her country's involvement in the war in Ukraine. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has banned all Russian and Belarusian players from competing in team events, including the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup.