sabalenka books

MELBOURNE, Australia—Aryna Sabalenka has been everywhere since the 2025 season ended in November, stacking high-profile exos and talk-show appearances that left the world No. 1 far too busy to engage in quieter pursuits on the eve of the 2026 Australian Open.

Sabalenka famously sought wisdom from the world of self-help last summer, turning to James R. Doty’s Into the Magic Shop and crediting the book with the mindset that helped her defend her US Open title. Asked if she’s made any further headway in her to-be-read list, the top seed demurred:

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Aryna Sabalenka goes back-to-back with Marta Kostyuk win | Brisbane highlights

Q. You talked about reading that memoir Into the Magic Shop. Have you read anything else in the off-season, anything about mindfulness?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Not really. (Laughter.) I don't know, guys. I'm terrible in reading books. I always follow how I feel, you know? That time I felt like reading. I wanted to disappear from the social media, just wanted to be by myself with the book. That time it worked perfectly.

Yeah, last couple of months, even more than that, been pretty busy. I didn't even have time to, like, just sit back and just like have my moment with the book. So I haven't ready anything.

Why I feel so embarrassed? Especially when other players reading nonstop. Well, I have to be honest. Like studying, reading, learning never been my weapon, so maybe that's why I succeed in tennis, because this is the only spot was left for me (laughter).

Q. Do you feel like you get inspiration from music, movies?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I get inspired by just seeing next generation cheering for me, get inspired by me. That's my inspiration. Also I love listen music. I just brings me to another world where I can dream and think, yeah, and try to kind of like get better in a way. Also, yeah, movies as well. But also not enough time right now for movies.

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Sabalenka has been too busy making stories of her own on the court in 2026, making a winning start to the season by winning a second Brisbane International title.

“I felt exhausted after Atlanta and New York,” she said of her hectic December schedule, “but I had one or two days off, so I felt recovered after. I had a great preparation. Then there is really high-intensity match against Nick, which is also part of my preparation.

“By the end of the pre-season, I felt really strong and ready.”

Sabalenka will put that strength to the test in her first round against French wild card Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah.