Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka kicked off her Australian Open title defense with a confident 6-3, 6-2 win against Sloane Stephens, despite feeling she could have played better and celebrating with a victory dance.

In her quest to become the first woman since 1999 to snag three consecutive Australian Open titles, Sabalenka not only showcased her dominance on the court but also her dance moves, reminding us that sometimes winning isn’t just about skills—sometimes it’s about a spectacular shimmie. Overcoming a slow start due to less-than-ideal weather, Sabalenka's straight-set victory against Stephens lasted just over an hour, setting the stage for her next match against Jéssica Bouzas Maneiro. After all, who needs the perfect game when you can bring rhythm and trophies to the court?

The match against Stephens had its fair share of drama—not with the gameplay, which was, by all accounts, smooth sailing for Sabalenka—but in the form of weather delays that caused chaos on the schedule. With rain playing peekaboo with the sun, players in other matches were left wondering if they should grab a snack or go for an early dinner. The irony was not lost on anyone: while clouds stormed in, Sabalenka found a way to shine brighter than the sun.

Despite her self-critique regarding her performance, Sabalenka managed to keep control of the game, winning the first set 6-3 before laying the ultimate smackdown with a 6-2 thrashing in the second. "I didn't play my best, but I’m glad to get through in straight sets," she remarked, displaying the trademark modesty of champions. For most of us, winning any set would feel like a badge of honor, but for Sabalenka, it seems the honor is in the win, regardless of how it comes.

Now poised to advance to the next stage of the tournament, Sabalenka is ready to take on Jéssica Bouzas Maneiro, who, one imagines, is fervently studying repeated loops of Sabalenka's dance post-victory. Any player would be wise to take notes; there’s no denying that a good dance often disrupts the opponent's concentration. Perhaps Bouzas Maneiro will try to counter with a rival dance, but let's be real—the side-by-side shuffle-off is likely better suited for a breakdancing competition than a tennis match.

On a more sentimental note, Sabalenka expressed how returning to the Australian Open felt like 'coming home.' Given that she’s already making herself at home on the court, perhaps it's time she stocked the fridge with some solid snacks for her post-match celebrations. A well-fed champion is a happy champion, after all.

While this match was merely the beginning, the whisper of history looms large: can Sabalenka reclaim the title and join the ranks of women who have taken the Australian Open three times in a row? The last person to pull off such a feat was none other than the 1999 champion, a ghost in the annals of tennis history whose ghostly shadow Sabalenka seeks to chase away with every powerful serve.

The Australian Open has a magical way of turning champions into legends and mere players into champions. As the tournament continues, eyes will be glued to the court, all hoping that Aryna Sabalenka’s dance steps remain as fluid as her serves. In the world of tennis, where each point weighs heavy and every match counts, a dash of flair never hurts. If anything, it provides a distraction for the competition and amusement for the crowds.

As Sabalenka gears up for her next showdown, fans only hope for more of the same: skillful tennis punctuated by joyous victory dances. Who would have thought that competitive sports could blend seamlessly with dance battles? Truly, she’s proving that perhaps what we need more in the world of sports is a little less seriousness and a lot more celebration—preferably with a funky groove.