World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka provided a disarmingly human moment at the Australian Open on Sunday evening, turning from fierce competitor to starstruck fan after spotting tennis royalty in the stands.
A Selfie with Legends
Following her commanding first-round victory, the Belarusian superstar noticed two very special spectators sitting front row on Rod Laver Arena: 20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer and the man for whom the stadium is named, Rod Laver. When asked by on-court interviewer Jelena Dokic if she had seen them, Sabalenka's reaction was priceless.
"Yeah ... I'm a huge fan guys. Can I take a picture with you please?" a beaming Sabalenka asked, before seizing the opportunity for a memorable selfie with the two icons from the court itself. She later expressed her awe, stating, "Oh my God ... what a privilege, thank you so much."
Business as Usual on Court
Before the fan moment, the reigning Australian Open champion had taken care of business. Sabalenka defeated French qualifier Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah 6-4, 6-1 in one hour and 16 minutes to safely progress to the second round.
She acknowledged a tricky start against her left-handed opponent, who was making her Melbourne Park debut. "I didn't start my best, but she showed up, fired on," Sabalenka said. "I'm super happy that I found my rhythm at the very end of the first set... I'm super happy I was able to close this match in straight sets."
Other Early Winners on Day One
Sabalenka wasn't the only seed to advance smoothly on the opening day. Seventh-seeded Italian Jasmine Paolini needed just 69 minutes to dispatch Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-1, 6-2 in the tournament's very first match.
Paolini, a two-time grand slam finalist in 2024, revealed she had to consciously lighten her mood before stepping onto court. "I said to myself, 'Look, you didn't smile since you get up, so smile a little bit'," she shared, planning to enjoy the Melbourne sunshine after her win.
Ukrainian 12th seed Elina Svitolina continued her strong summer form, routing Cristina Bucsa 6-4, 6-1. Svitolina is riding a six-match winning streak and is relishing life on tour with her husband, Gael Monfils, and their young daughter.
The honour of the first winner of the 2026 Open went to Australian wildcard Talia Gibson, who crushed Russia's Anna Blinkova 6-1, 6-3, thrilling the local crowd.
While the quest for the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup is just beginning, day one at Melbourne Park will be remembered for a champion player's genuine moment of fandom, reminding everyone of the magic that makes grand slam tennis so special.
