Aryna Sabalenka and Jiri Lehecka have kicked off their 2025 seasons with victories at the Brisbane International, ringing in the new year with titles at the prestigious Australian tournament. On January 5, 2025, held at the dynamic Pat Rafter Arena, Sabalenka showcased her resilience by overcoming Polina Kudermetova to clinch the women's singles title, marking her impressive 12th straight win on Australian soil.
Sabalenka, who currently sits atop the WTA rankings, faced unexpected challenges during her match. After losing the first set 4-6 to 107th-ranked Kudermetova, the 25-year-old Belarusian rallied to win the next two sets 6-3, 6-2, securing her place among the winners' circle once again. This victory adds to her already illustrious career, where she stands with 18 titles, 16 of which were won on hard courts. "I felt all of the support from the very beginning of the week until the very last point. I really appreciate it and that's why I love playing in Australia and in Brisbane," Sabalenka expressed with gratitude after her match.
Meanwhile, the men's singles title went to Jiri Lehecka, who lifted his second ATP trophy after winning when his opponent Reilly Opelka was forced to retire due to injury. Lehecka was leading 4-1 just 13 minutes after the match had started, displaying confidence early on. He extended his run of success by overcoming notable players throughout the tournament, including the second seed Grigor Dimitrov and the third seed Holger Rune.
Lehecka’s win was bittersweet, as he sympathized with Opelka's unfortunate situation. "It is never easy to finish a match this way, I know how you feel, Reilly," he stated, reflecting on the abrupt end of their final match. Opkele, who made headlines by defeating former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic earlier in the tournament, struggled with chronic back issues during the final, resulting from past surgeries. "I'm bummed. Unfortunately, my back has been giving me some issues," Opelka admitted, sharing his disappointment and expressing gratitude for the medical team who had worked tirelessly to prepare him for the match.
Reilly's path back to the top has been tumultuous, characterized by surgeries and lengthy recovery periods. He had achieved immense success earlier but saw his ranking plummet to No. 293 as he recuperated. His victory over Djokovic reinstated him as one of the players to watch this season, leading to high expectations for his comeback. Though his match ended abruptly, Opelka's impressive quarterfinal performance hinted at the potential he still possesses.
For Lehecka, the win propels him to No. 24 in the ATP rankings, giving him momentum heading to Melbourne for the Australian Open, which kicks off on January 12, 2025. "I have high goals this year, and I don't want to say I'm going to win, but I will do my best to go as far as I can," he declared confidently. Having reached the quarterfinals at the 2023 Australian Open, Lehecka aims to improve his performance and make another deep run.
After his triumph, Lehecka acknowledged the significance of preparation through challenging matches. "The first thing is to come here to Australia from Europe, so immediately you feel good. Tennis Australia has done great work; all the courts are the same, and conditions are similar, which is favorable for players during this busy time of the season," Lehecka noted.
Similarly, Sabalenka will head to Melbourne feeling incredible on the back of her winning streak and the dynamic atmosphere of the Brisbane International. She aims to defend her title at the Australian Open and become the first woman since Martina Hingis to win three consecutive finals at this prestigious event. The pressure mounts as both champions set their aspirations high for the upcoming Grand Slam.
Overall, the 2025 Brisbane International has set the stage for exciting tennis at the Australian Open, with both Sabalenka and Lehecka proving they have the tools and mindset to continue their winning ways. With their recent successes, expectations soar as they approach one of the most significant tournaments of the year, ready to showcase their skills on the biggest stage.