Sabalenka Advances at Australian Open, Shares Court with Legends Federer and Laver
MELBOURNE, 21 January 2026 – World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has navigated a tricky opening test at the Australian Open, defeating French wildcard Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah 6-4, 6-1 to book her place in the second round. The Belarusian’s victory was witnessed by a star-studded audience, including tennis icons Roger Federer and Rod Laver.
A Nervous Start, a Commanding Finish
Sabalenka admitted to a case of opening-match nerves, exacerbated by the presence of the two legends sitting courtside at Rod Laver Arena. The top seed dropped her opening service game but quickly regained her composure, finding her rhythm towards the end of the first set before dominating the second. The match lasted one hour and 16 minutes.
“I didn’t start my best. She showed up, fired on, and was playing great,” Sabalenka said of her 20-year-old left-handed opponent. “It was a tricky start. I’m super happy I found my rhythm.”
A Star-Studded Spectacle
The presence of 20-time major champion Roger Federer and Australian great Rod Laver, the namesake of the centre court, added a unique pressure. Sabalenka confessed she spent parts of the match telling herself, “don’t look there, don’t look there!”
Never one to miss an opportunity, the four-time Grand Slam champion seized the moment post-match, asking the legends for a photograph. “I’m a huge fan guys. Can I take a picture with you please?” she said during her on-court interview, later sharing a memorable selfie with the pair.
Building Momentum in Melbourne
The victory extends Sabalenka’s perfect start to the 2026 season to 6-0, following her title run at the Brisbane International last week. The win also marks her 74th consecutive week atop the WTA rankings. She is chasing a third Australian Open crown, having won the title in 2023 and 2024 before finishing as runner-up to Madison Keys last year.
Sabalenka highlighted the work she has put into diversifying her game, coming to the net 22 times during the match. “I was definitely working on serve and volley. I’m super happy to be able to do it in the match,” she said, aiming to be a more unpredictable opponent.
Key Match Facts
| Statistic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Result | Aryna Sabalenka def. Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah 6-4, 6-1 |
| Match Duration | 1 hour, 16 minutes |
| 2026 Win-Loss Record | 6-0 |
| Weeks at World No. 1 | 74 |
| Net Approaches | 22 |
| Next Opponent | Qualifier Zhuoxuan Bai (CHN) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Aryna Sabalenka play in the first round?
Sabalenka faced Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah, a 20-year-old French wildcard ranked World No. 118, who was making her Australian Open debut.
Why was Sabalenka nervous during the match?
She admitted to feeling extra pressure because tennis legends Roger Federer and Rod Laver were watching her match from front-row seats at Rod Laver Arena.
What is Sabalenka’s record at the Australian Open?
The Belarusian is a two-time champion (2023, 2024) and was the runner-up in 2025. She has now reached the second round for the sixth consecutive year.
Who is Sabalenka’s next opponent?
She will face Chinese qualifier Zhuoxuan Bai in the second round. Bai advanced after defeating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.