When will Aryna Sabalenka play her first round at the 2024 Australian Open?

Aryna Sabalenka

• Seed: 2
• Career-Best Ranking: 1
• Age: 25
• Career Titles: 13
• Grand Slam Titles: 1 — Australian Open (2023)

When will Sabalenka play her Australian Open first round?

Aryna Sabalenka is set to kick off her 2024 Australian Open campaign on Sunday, January 14 against 18-year-old qualifier Ella Seidel.

The German teenager upset two seeds in qualifying to make her Grand Slam main draw debut.

Where did Sabalenka land in the 2024 Australian Open draw?

The No. 2 seed was not dealt the same tough draw as rival and top seed Iga Swiatek, who will begin her Australian Open against 2020 champion Sofia Kenin, but will not know her opponent until the conclusion of the Women’s Qualifying tournament.

How has performed in Melbourne in years past?

Sabalenka has played her best tennis in Australia over the last two seasons, enjoying an undefeated run Down Under in 2022 that culminated with her first Grand Slam victory at the Australian Open. In the final, she won one of the best matches of the year against Elena Rybakina in three sets.

Her Australian summer proved to be a springboard for Sabalenka’s most consistent season to date, one that saw her ascend to WTA world No. 1 after finishing runner-up at the 2023 US Open.

How has Sabalenka performed in 2024 so far?

Though she ultimately lost the year-end No. 1 ranking to Swiatek, Sabalenka nonetheless began 2024 in fine form. She reached the Brisbane International final without dropping a set but lost in the final to rival Rybakina.

At 25 years old, she will be attempting to defend a Grand Slam singles title for the first time in her career.

Sabalenka's first round against a qualifier or lucky loser will take place on a Melbourne Park show court at a TBD time on Sunday.