Sabalenka primed for Australian Open after exhibition experiments

MELBOURNE, Jan 16 : Aryna Sabalenka's off-season featured a string of exhibition matches and the world number one said on Friday they had given her the ideal platform to experiment and refine her game ahead of her push for a third Australian Open title.    While the majority of players chose to wind down after a gruelling 11-month campaign, Sabalenka played exhibition matches in Atlanta and New York last month before facing Nick Kyrgios in a controversial "Battle of the Sexes" showdown in Dubai.    She began the 2026 season by claiming the Brisbane title, mixing her raw power with a serve-and-volley game and deft touches that she believes will hold her in good stead ahead of the Melbourne Park major starting on Sunday.    "I had a great off-season, so I was really recovered and ready," Sabalenka told reporters.    "I played extra exhibitions, but I think they all made sense ... good matches to test a couple things that I'd been working on during the pre-season.    "I felt exhausted after Atlanta and New York, but I had one or two days off, so I felt recovered.

I had a great preparation. Then there was a really high-intensity match against Nick which was also part of my preparation.    "By the end of the pre-season, I felt strong and ready."    Sabalenka missed out on a third straight Melbourne Park crown last year, losing to outsider Madison Keys in the final, and the 27-year-old will not take any challengers for granted.    Among those who stand in her way of a fifth major title is Iga Swiatek, who will look to complete her career Grand Slam and create a pathway back to the world number one position.    "It's actually not only about me and Iga," Sabalenka said.

"It's Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula. I don't