"It might do the opposite, it might stress her out" - Journalist worries Aryna Sabalenka might feel pressure to 'back up' Australian Open title win

British tennis journalist David Law recently voiced concerns about Aryna Sabalenka's Australian Open title defense.

Sabalenka, the reigning champion from the 2023 Australian Open, secured her maiden Grand Slam title by defeating Elena Rybakina in the final last year. If the Belarusian secures the title this year, she will be the first to achieve back-to-back Australian Open victories since Victoria Azarenka in 2012 and 2013.

In a recent episode of The Tennis Podcast, Law said that Sabalenka aiming for her second Grand Slam title could serve as motivation, potentially solidifying her status as a champion and instilling a greater sense of belief in herself.

“It really could go completely different ways, it could totally raise her level, it could make her feel more legitimized than ever before as a champion. And to come out and underline that champion status and to believe in herself more than ever.” David Law (19:00)

Law, however, added that it could also go the other way and that defending the Australian Open title could add unwanted stress for Sabalenka. He acknowledged that despite her exceptional skills, it won't be an easy task to win the Happy Slam for the second year in a row.

“I have a slight feeling that it might do the opposite that it might stress her out that she's so desperate to back it up, I feel like when it's all flowing and she's not holding the racket too tightly she's an awesome player, we know how awesome she can be but she can also miss when she is tight.” David Law said (19:30)

In the doubles category, Sabalenka won the 2021 Australian Open alongside Belgium's Elise Mertens. They defeated Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova in the final 6–2, 6–3.

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Aryna Sabalenka was runner-up at the 2024 Brisbane International

2024 Brisbane International: Day 8. Aryna Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka's 2023 season started with a victory at the Adelaide International 1. She also went on to win the Australian Open and the Madrid Masters. However, the 25-year-old couldn't start the 2024 season on a winning note.

En route to the 2024 Brisbane International final, Sabalenka defeated Lucia Bronzetti, Zhu Lin, Daria Kasatkina, and her compatriot Victoria Azarenka, winning all matches in straight sets. In the final, Sabalenka faced the World No. 3, Elena Rybakina.

The Kazakh tennis player made light work of her opponent and won 6-0, 6-3. The 2024 edition of the Australian Open kicks off on Sunday (January 14) and Sabalenka will look to return to winning ways when she faces 18-year-old German Ella Seidel in the first round.