In a recent press conference, Aryna Sabalenka spoke brutally honestly about why she left IMG and joined Naomi Osaka's talent agency, Evolve.
Sabalenka's development into one of the best tennis players in the world means that talent management companies worldwide would undoubtedly love to work with such a high-profile name.
The Belarusian is in Melbourne, attempting to win a third consecutive Australian Open title. She won both hard-court Grand Slams last year and three of the previous four major titles on the surface overall. Coco Gauff's 2023 US Open triumph was the sole exception.
Some believe Gauff is the most likely to challenge Sabalenka for the Australian Open title after her form in recent months. Since October, the 20-year-old secured the China Open and the WTA Finals and helped Team USA win the United Cup.
Sabalenka and Gauff also contested a high-quality semifinal at the 2024 Australian Open. The two-time defending champion at the season's opening Grand Slam could have her work cut out if Gauff's level is even better in the latter stages of this year's iteration.
The two favorites for the title have made impressive starts in Melbourne. Sabalenka comfortably defeated the 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens before surviving a second-set scare against the talented Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
Gauff's path to the third round was similar. After overcoming Sofia Kenin in the opening round, the American fought back from 3-5 down in the second set against Jodie Burrage to book a third-round meeting with Leylah Fernandez.
The challenge of competing at the highest level means it is crucial for players like Sabalenka to have their off-court matters effectively handled. That makes choosing the right management company to help them very important.
Sabalenka had been with IMG, one of the world's biggest and most reputable management groups. However, it was recently announced that the three-time Grand Slam champion had moved to Evolve, which Osaka co-founded.
Sabalenka chose not to hide anything when asked about it in a press conference. She admitted to tension between her and some people involved with IMG and is happy that her time with the large company is over.
"I was looking for building my brand. Kind of like... Wanted a little bit more than IMG served for me and I wasn't happy with the service. Yeah, there was tension between me and some of the people out there."
"I'm happy that I was able to finish that chapter of my life and I'm glad with the new beginning and I hope to build something bigger than just the momentum deals."
Those comments show the faith that has been placed in Osaka's Evolve. Sabalenka, understandably, has high expectations for herself and her image off the court as the No. 1 player in the world and wants that to be properly managed.
The Belarusian faces a tricky third-round Australian Open matchup against Clara Tauson, who won this year's ASB Classic when Osaka retired with a back spasm after the opening set in the final.
Sabalenka cannot afford to take anything for granted against a player in the best form of her career so far.