Australian Open 2026: Sabalenka Beats Wildcard in Front of Federer & Laver
MELBOURNE, Australia – In a night defined by star power both on and off the court, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka launched her 2026 Australian Open campaign with a definitive 6-4, 6-1 victory over French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah. While the straight-sets win appeared routine on the scoreboard, the atmosphere inside Rod Laver Arena was anything but, as the Belarusian powerhouse had to overcome a “starstruck” case of nerves.
Sitting front row for the match were two of the greatest figures in tennis history: 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer and the legendary Rod Laver. Their presence created a high-pressure environment that Sabalenka admitted nearly threw her off her game.
A Tricky Start Under the Legends’ Gaze
The match began with a stunning turn of events. Rakotomanga Rajaonah, a 20-year-old left-hander ranked 118th in the world, showed zero intimidation on the grand stage. She broke Sabalenka’s serve in the very first game, racing to an early lead as the top seed struggled with her rhythm and unforced errors.
“The whole match I was walking and thinking, ‘Don’t look there, don’t look there, don’t look there,'” Sabalenka joked during her post-match interview, referring to Federer and Laver. “I wanted to show great tennis so they would enjoy watching me play, but I got a little bit tight.”
Sabalenka eventually found her footing, breaking back to level the first set at 1-1. The two-time champion then used her trademark power to pull away, closing the first set 6-4 before dominating the second set 6-1 in just over an hour.
The “Legendary” Selfie
The highlight of the evening for many fans came after the final point. During her on-court interview, a visibly excited Sabalenka turned to the stands and made a humble request to the two legends.
“I’m a huge fan, guys. Can I take a picture with you, please?” she asked.
Federer and Laver graciously obliged, leaning in from their front-row seats as Sabalenka captured a “legendary selfie” that immediately went viral across social media. The moment served as a passing of the torch of sorts, with the current queen of Melbourne Park paying homage to the giants of the past.
Looking Ahead: The Path to a Three-Peat
With the first-round hurdle cleared, Sabalenka’s quest to become the first woman since Martina Hingis to reach four consecutive Australian Open finals remains on track. Her next opponent will be Chinese qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan, who advanced after an upset win earlier in the day.
While Sabalenka celebrated her win, the day was not without its shocks. Veteran Venus Williams exited the tournament after a grueling three-set battle against Olga Danilovic, marking what many believe could be her final appearance at Melbourne Park.
