World No. 1 Sabalenka Storms Brisbane: 22nd Career Title Secured with a Bold Response to Rivalry Controversy

Aryna Sabalenka Wins Brisbane International 2026: The Belarusian powerhouse defended her crown in a straight-sets victory over Marta Kostyuk, sending a clear message to the tennis world—and her critics—just days before the Australian Open.

Brisbane: The tennis world witnessed a masterclass in power and mental toughness on Sunday as World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka successfully defended her Brisbane International title. In a high-voltage final at the Pat Rafter Arena, Sabalenka dispatched Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in straight sets to claim her 22nd career singles title. With this victory, Sabalenka has officially marked herself as the overwhelming favorite for the Australian Open 2026, which is set to begin on January 18.

The Final Breakdown: Straight-Sets Dominance

Sabalenka was in relentless form from the opening serve. Despite the humid conditions and Kostyuk’s tactical drop shots, the World No. 1 used her superior baseline power to dictate the pace of the match.

• Final Score: 6-4, 6-3
• Match Duration: 1 hour and 17 minutes
• Key Stat: Sabalenka won the entire tournament without dropping a single set.

Kostyuk started strong by attacking Sabalenka’s second serve, but she ultimately wilted under the physical strain of Sabalenka’s punishing groundstrokes. By the second set, Sabalenka’s momentum was unstoppable, ending the match with a deceptive drop shot that left Kostyuk stranded.

Bicep Kiss Celebration: A Pointed Response

While the tennis was world-class, the post-match gestures grabbed equal headlines. Immediately after securing the winning point, Sabalenka looked toward Kostyuk’s side of the court and kissed both of her biceps.

This gesture was widely interpreted as a “shut up” response to a brewing controversy. Last year, Kostyuk had reportedly commented that Sabalenka possessed higher testosterone levels than other female players, implying an unfair physical advantage. By kissing her muscles, Sabalenka seemed to embrace her strength and answer her critics with a display of pride.

Frosty Ceremony: Geopolitical Tensions Surface

The trophy presentation was marked by a visible chill between the two finalists. Consistent with her stance since 2023, Kostyuk refused to shake hands with Sabalenka due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine (as Sabalenka represents Belarus).

During her speech, Kostyuk notably declined to mention Sabalenka by name, instead focusing on the plight of her homeland. “I play every day with pain in my heart,” Kostyuk said, highlighting that thousands of Ukrainians are currently without heat or water in minus-20 degree temperatures. Sabalenka, for her part, remained professional, congratulating Kostyuk on a great week and even sharing a lighthearted moment by teasing her boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis, about a potential proposal.

Sabalenka’s Career at a Glance

Conclusion: Ready for Melbourne

With 22 titles under her belt, Sabalenka now holds the third-most WTA titles among active players, trailing only Venus Williams and Iga Swiatek. Her dominance in Australia is legendary—having won 37 of her last 39 matches on Australian soil. As she heads to Melbourne to reclaim the Grand Slam title she won in 2023 and 2024, the “Sabalenka Storm” looks more dangerous than ever.

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