Aryna Sabalenka targets Dubai success after making her Grand Slam breakthrough

Aryna Sabalenka believes her maiden Grand Slam triumph at the Australian Open last month has further fuelled her hunger for success, as she looks to add more silverware to her cabinet.

The world No 2 is undefeated in 2023, having won both tournaments she has contested to accrue a perfect 11-0 record.

Sabalenka will put her winning streak on the line in Dubai this week, where she will make her first on-court appearance since lifting the trophy in Melbourne with victory over Elena Rybakina in the final three weeks ago.

The 24-year-old Belarusian admits it took her some time to fully realise she has become a Grand Slam champion but she has no intention of slowing down.

“I couldn't believe it in the beginning. Then for the next week I was like, 'Oh, my God, I did it. Yes, it happened',” Sabalenka told reporters in Dubai on Sunday.

“I was having this conversation in my head that, 'Wow, that happened'. It's so amazing. Now I have even more motivation to work hard, just to feel it again.”

Sabalenka opens her campaign in the Emirates against either Swiss Jil Teichmann or Russia's Anastasia Potapova in the second round and is feeling good about her chances at the WTA 1000 tournament.

“This year is different because they changed the balls,” she said.

“The surface is new. It's different than it was last year. Last year was super fast. The balls were flying.

A thing of beauty