Aryna Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka is a Belarusian professional tennis player currently ranked world number one. She is newsworthy due to her recent performance at the 2026 Australian Open. Sabalenka reached her fourth consecutive Australian Open final, defeating Elina Svitolina in the semi-finals and Iva Jovic in the quarter-finals. However, she lost the final to Elena Rybakina in a three-set match, marking her second consecutive final loss after winning the previous two Australian Open titles. This defeat is particularly significant as it was a rematch of their final from three years prior, where Rybakina also emerged victorious. Despite the loss, Sabalenka's consistent performance in Melbourne highlights her continued relevance as a top player in women's tennis.