MELBOURNE, Jan 10, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - World number one Aryna Sabalenka said
Friday she wants to "put my name into history" by winning a third straight
Australian Open title, but is aware she "has a target on her back".

The Belarusian top seed is looking to become the first woman since Martina
Hingis (1997-99) to win three consecutive Australian Opens.

Sabalenka will join a select group that also includes Margaret Court, Evonne
Goolagong, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles if she makes it a Melbourne hat-trick
in a fortnight's time.

"I know that I have the possibility of joining legends by winning three times
in a row," Sabalenka told reporters at Melbourne Park.

"But I don't want to overthink about that. I just want to do my job.

"Hopefully by the end of this tournament I'll be super proud of myself and
I'll be able to put my name into history."

Sabalenka won the Brisbane International last week and she is the woman to
beat in Australia after the best season of her career in 2024, capped by
being named WTA Player of the Year last month.

Sabalenka said she relishes being the player being hunted.

"I always like to compete. I always like to accept really tough challenges.
And for me, being the one to chase, I don't know, I like it," she said.

"I like that feeling. That's what drives me and helps me to stay motivated
because I know that I have a target on my back and I really like to have it.

"That's why I work really hard to make sure that nobody can get to me."

Sabalenka began 2024 by successfully defending her Australian Open title and
bookended it by lifting her first US Open, as well as winning WTA 1000 events
in Cincinnati and Wuhan.

She begins her title defence with a potentially tricky match against the 2017
US Open winner Sloane Stephens, who has been sliding down the rankings and is
now 84th.

"I think right now she's kind of in the mood of nothing to lose and she can
play really great tennis, so I expect a great battle," said Sabalenka.

"Looking forward to facing her again."