Australian Open 2026 : Aryna Sabalenka beats Rakotomanga Rajaonah in front of Roger Federer and Rod Laver

World number one Aryna Sabalenka overcame the "pressure" of being watched by tennis legends Roger Federer and Rod Laver to begin her Australian Open campaign with victory.

An error-prone Sabalenka overcame French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah 6-4 6-1 on Rod Laver Arena.

Six-time Aussie Open men's champion Federer and three-time winner Laver had front row seats during the first-round match, with Sabalenka joking she tried not to look at them.

Sabalenka, who has won the Melbourne title twice, later took a selfie with the pair.

"I wanted to show great tennis so you guys enjoy watching me play. What a privilege - I really hope you guys enjoyed it just a little bit," Belarus' Sabalenka said.

"It was a lot of pressure. I was walking [around] thinking 'don't look there, don't look there'."

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