THE MODERATOR: Welcome to Brisbane. How has your preparation been so far?
ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I'm super happy to be back in Brisbane. We've been here for, I don't know, four or five days. I don't remember. Probably still jet-lagged.
But yeah, like practicing here. I like the atmosphere. Yeah, just can't wait to start playing here.
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. It's been a happy hunting ground for you here. How much do you love coming back here knowing you've had so much success in this country?
ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I have a lot of great memories from Australia. I'm super excited to be back. Always feels like home here. Love the support. Yeah, I love the atmosphere here in Australia.
I hope it's going to keep working well for me.
Q. Does it make any difference arriving here as the world No. 1 or the fact that you've won two Australian Opens? No difference?
ARYNA SABALENKA: Let's talk about that after Australian swing, okay? I don't want to talk ahead, then lose everything in first round, be not in a good place (smiling).
But, no, it doesn't make any difference. Like doesn't matter what's your ranking. Anyway, you have to go there, compete, fight, do your best. It doesn't matter whether you're 1, 2, 3 or 100.
Q. Do you get to approach the summer with a different mentality knowing you've been here and done it before as opposed to two years ago?
ARYNA SABALENKA: No, definitely I've got some confidence on the Grand Slams. I know that I'm capable of so many things, that I'm able to hold that beautiful trophy. It's good to know that. But there is still ways to go. A lot of things has to be done. I just prefer focus step by step.
It's good to know that you have this ability to win Australia Open, but you better focus on yourself, improving yourself every day, yeah, do your best and hope for the best. That's my mentality going into the Australian Open.
Q. When you're setting goals for yourself, people will talk about 25 years it's been since a woman has won three Australian Opens in a row, is that something you think about, you could probably achieve?
ARYNA SABALENKA: Honestly, I didn't know about that till probably few days ago when I saw, I don't know how we say, Twitter tweet. Someone post, whatever, saying that it's been a while since someone won three Australian Opens in the row.
I mean, it's little bit cool to achieve such an incredible goal, dream of so many young players. But once again, I think I better focus on myself. If I'll be able to bring my best tennis, I know that I'm able to do that.
But yeah, I prefer to stay focused on myself.
Q. We know how much you've developed as a player over the past two seasons. How much have you developed as a person?
ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, I had a lot of challenges on and off the court. I think all of those tough challenges improved me as a player and as a person.
I think, yeah, I'm getting better as a player and as a person every day.
Q. We saw the Instagram videos of you training with Iga. Was that strange training alongside your greatest rival?
ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, it was fun. It all started on The Finals. I asked her to do TikTok. I was, Okay, whatever, I'm going to ask and see what happens. I thought we have to stay together and have fun and just enjoy our rivalry, not be too tough on each other.
So I asked. We did it. Since that we already practice for couple of times. Then I was doing fitness after our hit. She was like, I can join you guys.
I am like, Yeah, let's do that.
We filmed it and post it. It's been becoming more chill between us, too. I have to say she's really nice person. It was fun get to know each other.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports