What next for Aryna Sabalenka following back-to-back Australian Open success?

Aryna Sabalenka enjoyed a rapid rise in her tennis reputation and worldwide prominence in just 12 months between 2023 and 2024, as she managed to win the Australian Open back-to-back. 

The Belarusian player went into 2023 awaiting her first Grand Slam title, and now after the first month of 2024, she has managed a feat that has not been seen in the women’s game since fellow Belarusian Victoria Azarenka secured sustained success on Aussie soil in 2013. 

Sabalenka’s career has featured a recurring theme of streaks of good form, followed by sustained crashes. However, last year she reached the No 1 ranking spot for the first time, and she’s maintained a position in the top two since. 

Perhaps this year she could build off her victory Down Under to achieve success at another Grand Slam event. 

Sabalenka could mark 2024 with multiple Grand Slam titles

After winning the first major event of the year, Sabalenka is a front-runner in all of the remaining Grand Slam events.

Fans all over the world will expect her to deliver, as do many of the major sportsbooks. A majority of the available sportsbooks Ontario has to offer, including the likes of bet365, highlight Sabalenka as one of the leading favourites for each of the events. For example, as it currently stands, the Belarusian is priced at +300 as the most likely star to win the US Open.

Based on Sabalenka’s recent domination on Australia’s hard court surface, the final Grand Slam of the year could provide the perfect platform for further success. The United States could well be the next location in which Sabalenka makes worldwide headlines, although she’ll undoubtedly be in the latter stages at Roland Garros and Wimbledon over the summer. 

The crucial next step for Sabalenka is to prove herself as a Grand Slam champion outside of Australia. From there she could potentially embark on a journey to becoming one of the greats, as she’s still in the earlier stages of her career and has plenty more time to cement her legacy. 

The Belarusian could again become the world No 1

The Belarusian has offered fluctuating levels of form throughout her career but appears to have reached a crossroads from which she could move on to establish herself as one of the truly elite active players. If Sabalenka is to deliver on expectations and gain further Grand Slam success at some point this year, then the world No 1 spot could be in her grasp.

Another triumph at one of the four majors would provide her with a valuable 2000 points in the rankings. That would almost certainly allow her to climb into the peak position of the rankings and would provide a strong platform to carry that status into 2025. 

Ultimately, Sabalenka has made a huge statement by winning the Australian Open to begin the 2024 major calendar. The Belarusian’s colossal accomplishment has set her up well for the Grand Slams that are yet to come this year. If she carries a winning mentality into the events ahead, there’s a strong likelihood that she could end the year as world No 1. 

Sabalenka is the first player in over a decade to retain the Australian Open, but what comes next in 2024 and beyond could be even more defining for her growing legacy within the sport.