World number two Aryna Sabalenka and number four Elena Rybakina are poised to kick off their 2024 seasons at the Brisbane International, a crucial warm-up event for the Australian Open, as confirmed by organizers on Tuesday.
The return of the WTA 500 event in the first week of January marks the end of a three-year hiatus initially prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Naomi Osaka, a former world number one, was previously announced to participate in the tournament.
Sabalenka, the 25-year-old Belarusian, is ineligible to compete in the United Cup mixed tournament concurrently taking place in Perth and Sydney. This restriction is due to the ongoing ban on teams from Belarus and Russia, stemming from the invasion of Ukraine. Sabalenka will be joining her compatriot and two-time Australian Open champion, Victoria Azarenka, in the 48-player Brisbane field as she gears up for her first Grand Slam title defense at Melbourne Park.
Expressing her excitement, Sabalenka stated, “Australia holds a special place in my heart after winning my first Grand Slam there. I can’t wait to make my debut at the Brisbane International and play in front of the Queensland tennis fans.”
Elena Rybakina, the Russian-born Kazakh player and Wimbledon champion in 2022, is also set to participate. Notably, she faced Sabalenka in the 2023 Melbourne final.
The inclusion of these top-ranked players adds significant allure to the Brisbane International, setting the stage for a thrilling start to the 2024 tennis season and offering fans a preview of the intense competition to come in the Australian Open.
