Aryna Sabalenka Press Conference | Australian Open 2026 First Round

Alright, congratulations, Irina. First match out of the way. How did it feel out there tonight?

Yeah, super happy to be through this match. I think I didn't really start at my best and I was struggling to find my rhythm.

But then I feel like in the last two games of the first set, I found my rhythm and I was able to step in and to play a little bit better tennis.

Okay, we'll go Mark and then David.

Irina, congratulations. 22 times to the net. Is that a number we can expect ongoing now? And how did you rate your work up there tonight?

I prefer to be unpredictable. But yeah, I was definitely working on surfing volley and I'm super happy to be able to do it on the match because, you know, on the practice is one thing, but be able to be kind of like fearless and go there at the match, it's something else.

So, I'm really proud that I'm able to show this tennis.

David?

Talk about trying to find your rhythm. Is it a combination of playing an opponent you've never played before, being on, you know, Rod Labor for the first time in the tournament?

Just what was contributing to that?

I mean, first of all, it's the first match, right? So you always kind of like just trying to figure it where you are. And also the opponent that I never played before and I haven't really watched her games before and kind of like lose her out of my radar.

So, I didn't really know much about her and I was just struggling to find the rhythm of her shots. And I'm happy that I could manage and I could get this win in straight sets.

Okay, off the back there.

You mentioned it took you a little while to get your rhythm in that first set. What was it about her game that made you sort of struggle to get to that point?

I think the game, no, not the game, but the serve was really a little bit awkward for me. It was not that heavy, not that fast. So, I was trying to find the perfect position for me to return. And also the balls were flying a lot.

She was serving really good targets. So, it was a combination of a couple of things. But then at the very end, I felt like I have to step in and I have to try to put as much pressure as I can on her. And I did it and it really worked well.

I wanted to ask you about your jewelry collaboration with Material Good.

Yeah.

It's very big and very flashy. I'm curious what you make of the collaboration, how the decision came together, how much input you had, all of that.

Yeah, I'm super excited about this partnership. You know, like first time I met them, I think last year in New York.

And I even bought my birthday gift there and I really love the boutique they have. I love the team.

They're very creative, very fun, like really fits my team well. And yeah, I'm super excited about this partnership because they give me this space to design things, to be creative, to be unique.

And they understand me really well. They know me well. And they do such beautiful pieces like this. And I'm super excited about this partnership.

Are you going to bring them to market? It's a long-term collaboration, so throughout the year we'll see different pieces?

Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's a long-term, for sure, partnership. And yeah, we're going to create a lot of cool pieces.

But Mark?

Just getting back to the net stuff that's been obviously a priority for you. Every year you turn up here, you seem to be adding constantly to your game.

How important do you think constantly evolving as a player has been opposed to your success?

Yeah, I think it's very important to always working on your game, always developing as a player, always searching for something that is new, that is going to help your game. I think that's the key to be consistent, always bring something new on the table.

And I think over the years we've developed my game so much. We added a lot of new things. And yeah, I'm proud of the work we've done together with my team.

Okay, we'll do Cole, David, and then wrap up. Cole?

Hey, Rina, well done. So this was your opponent's first time ever at the Australian Open. Just talking about your experience here in Melbourne, do you remember your first time ever playing here? And there's a memory that stands out.

I think it was against Ashley Barty at the road lever. And probably not the best experience to have for the first time facing Australian at the road lever.

But I'm also proud of the connection I was able to build with the fans since then. And that wasn't my best experience, to be honest.

But it was also cool because she was in the top 30, I think. For me, it was a really big match, really big opportunity to see where my game at.

And even though I lost that much, but I really enjoyed it and I learned a lot from that loss.

Okay, last one, Dave. Yeah, Irina, I couldn't hear the on-court interview, but I saw you take a selfie with Roger and Rod Laver.

I was just curious if you saw them during the match, what it's like to have people like that watch you and all that.

Oh, yeah, of course I did. I'm a huge fan. And yeah, the whole match I was just telling myself, do not look there, please.

Do not look. But yeah, it's incredible. I would never thought that Roger Federer and Rod Laver are going to be sitting first row watching my match.

And yeah, that's unbelievable.

You think that's why you came to net so much?

Yeah, of course. I just wanted to impress Roger with my game. I just couldn't do tweener, but it's okay.

Next time.

Next time.

Okay, thanks very much.

Thank you.

Thank you.