The 9 women to lift Brisbane International title: ft Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova

Oli Dickson Jefford 02 Jan 2025 4:39 PM

Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams at the Brisbane International.

Nine different women have lifted the Brisbane International title since the tournament made its WTA Tour debut in 2009.

As Aryna Sabalenka looks to lift her first title at the event, we look at the distinguished former champions she would be emulating.

Victoria Azarenka – 2009, 2016

Beaten in the third round this year, former world No 1 Azarenka is a two-time champion in Brisbane.

Aged only 19, the Belarusian won the inaugural edition of the event in 2009, defeating Marion Bartoli 6-3, 6-1 to capture the title.

After defeat in the 2014 final, Azarenka bounced back in 2016 as she down Angelique Kerber 6-3, 6-1 to triumph for a second time.

Kim Clijsters – 2010

Just months after her historic triumph at the 2009 US Open, Clijsters added the Brisbane International trophy to her collection.

The Belgian battled her way to an epic 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(6) victory over compatriot and long-time rival Justine Henin – in her first tournament back from retirement – to lift the title.

Petra Kvitova – 2011

In one of the most successful years of her career, Kvitova kickstarted her 2011 campaign with her first and only victory at the event.

Future world No 2 Kvitova eased past Andrea Petkovic 6-1, 6-3 to claim what would be the first of six titles for the Czech that season.

Kaia Kanepi – 2012

Arguably the most surprising champion in the event’s 16-year history, Estonian star Kanepi defied the odds to lift the title in 2012.

Making the most of a wide-open draw, the perennial giant-killer stormed to the title with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Daniela Hantuchova in the final.

WTA Tour News

Iga Swiatek improves United Cup record as she inspires Poland again with epic Katie Boulter victory

Emma Raducanu posts encouraging injury update as she lands in Melbourne for Australian Open

Serena Williams – 2013-14

One of just two women to successfully defend the title, tennis legend Williams claimed back-to-back crowns in 2013 and 2014.

After withdrawing midway through the 2012 event due to injury, the American bounced back the following year and eased past Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 6-1 to claim the title in 2013.

Twelve months later, Williams beat Azarenka 6-4, 7-5 in a battle of former champions to successfully defend her title.

Maria Sharapova – 2015

This year marks a decade since Sharapova won her sole title in Brisbane, having been a regular at the event across the mid-2010s.

In a battle of former world No 1’s, the Russian rallied from a set down in the final to defeat Ana Ivanovic 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3.

Karolina Pliskova – 2017, 2019-20

With three titles to her name, former world No 1 Pliskova is the most successful player in the event’s history.

The Czech triumphed for the first time in 2017, easing past Alize Cornet 6-0, 6-3 to triumph in Brisbane.

Two years later, Pliskova regained her crown with a rallying 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 victory over Lesia Tsurenko, before successfully defending the title in 2010 thanks to a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 win versus Madison Keys.

Elina Svitolina – 2018

A former world No 3 at the peak of her powers, Ukrainian star Svitolina powered her way to the Brisbane title seven years ago.

After defeating reigning champ Pliskova in the semi-finals, she thrashed Aliasksandra Sasnovich 6-2, 6-1 in a one-sided final to triumph.

Elena Rybakina – 2024

After a four-year gap due to COVID restrictions, the event returned in 2024 – and former Wimbledon champion Rybakina was the last woman standing.

In a rematch of the Australian Open final the previous year, the Kazakh turned the tables on Aryna Sabalenka with an emphatic 6-0, 6-3 win over the Belarusian.