Sabalenka Defends Brisbane Crown, Eyes Melbourne Return with “Tiger Team” Support
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka kicked off her season in dominant fashion on Sunday, capturing her second consecutive Brisbane International title. The Belarusian powerhouse swept past Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 6-3, successfully defending her crown without dropping a single set throughout the tournament.
With the first major of the year set to begin on January 18, Sabalenka appears poised to reclaim her throne at Melbourne Park. Her blistering form in the Queensland heat suggests she’ll be the one to beat as she chases a third Australian Open championship and what would be her fifth Grand Slam title overall.
Dominance Down Under
It wasn’t an easy path to the final for Kostyuk, who had to battle through a gauntlet of top-tier opponents. On her way to the championship match, the Ukrainian knocked out three top-10 players—including Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova, and Mirra Andreeva—before running into the buzzsaw that is Sabalenka.
Despite the stiff competition, Sabalenka’s victory in Brisbane signals she is picking up right where she left off. The team is looking to maintain the momentum from a stellar late-2024 season, which saw the Belarusian compile a 12-match win streak and secure titles in both Cincinnati and Flushing Meadows.
The “Tiger Team” Dynamic
Sabalenka’s sustained dominance is deeply rooted in the bond she shares with her coaching staff. This tight-knit unit, which has remained unchanged since 2020, has become famous for their unique, often superstitious rituals that keep the mood light amidst the pressure of the tour.
During her run to the US Open title earlier—her third major victory at the time—the team unveiled a new good luck charm that took things up a notch. While fitness coach Jason Stacy had previously let Sabalenka sign his bald head during the 2024 Australian Open, he committed to something more distinct for the New York crowd. Sitting in the player’s box during the match against Jessica Pegula, Stacy could be seen sporting a large temporary tattoo on his forehead honoring Sabalenka’s “Tiger” nickname.
“It’s permanent,” Sabalenka joked after lifting that trophy, before clarifying that a fan in Washington had provided the temporary ink. “Jason promised me that if I make it to the finals… he’s gonna put it on his forehead.”
It turned out to be a team-wide effort, with head coach Anton Dubrov and others revealing they had plastered the tiger emblems on various parts of their bodies.
Chemistry and Future Rituals
These lighthearted moments underscore a serious competitive advantage. Sabalenka has often emphasized the importance of surrounding herself with people she can trust implicitly, noting that her team has been critical to her rise up the rankings.
“The best advice I would give is to surround yourself with the right people,” Sabalenka said. “People you can trust, people you can talk to about anything. It’s so important to have someone you can talk through whatever’s going on.”
As the squad heads back to Melbourne, they are already brainstorming how to top their previous antics. “It was signature, and now it’s, like, tiger tattoo. I’m really curious what’s going to be next, Jason,” she joked, speculating that perhaps hair dye would be the next step. Whatever the ritual, Team Sabalenka seems ready to bring that same energy—and winning streak—to the Australian Open.
