World No. 1 tennis star Aryna Sabalenka is riding high, as the top-ranked WTA star earned her first-ever Indian Wells title with a three-set win over No. 3 Elena Rybakina in Sunday's 2026 BNP Paribas Open final.
With temperatures venturing into the 90s, Sabalenka took the reigning Australian Open champion down 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(6), avenging both her January loss to Rybakina in Melbourne as well as last year's Indian Wells finale exit.
"I think the whole idea going into this match was to be mentally strong, to stay strong no matter what, to show with the body language that I'm here, I'm fighting," Sabalenka said postmatch. "I'm happy that it really worked."
The 27-year-old now has half of this year's Sunshine Double in the bag, as she gears up to compete in the 2026 Miami Open later this week.
"I'm defending champion there, so I have to bring my best tennis there," said Sabalenka before departing California for Florida. "But with these vibes that I'm taking from here, I think I'll be able to be there and to fight and to do my very best to defend that beautiful trophy."
How to watch Aryna Sabalenka in the 2026 Miami Open
The 2026 Miami Open kicks off with the Round of 128 on Tuesday, which will determine Sabalenka's first opponent when the defending champion enters the competition in the Round of 64.
Live coverage of the tournament will air on the Tennis Channel.
