WATCH: Halep perfects her selfie at the Sydney Zoo

Published January 07, 2019

Simona Halep has arrived in Sydney for her first event of the 2019 season. But before play began, she stopped to meet some of Australia’s most popular creatures, the koala and kangaroo at the Sydney Zoo.

The world No. 1 even got to take a selfie with her new furry friends:

Now I'm officially in Australia 🤳🐨#SydneyTennis pic.twitter.com/Le8KyB3BJS
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) January 4, 2019

As well as with a few human friends who will join her in the draw this week:

🤳 time with @Simona_Halep in Sydney 😍#SydneyTennis pic.twitter.com/A25ho6raly
— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) January 6, 2019

the unofficial selfie of @SydneyTennis with @Simona_Halep 🤳🏽 pic.twitter.com/Q5bB8xZMFZ
— sloanestephens (@SloaneStephens) January 6, 2019

Tournament action in Sydney began over the weekend, and Halep leads the draw as the top seed. She hasn't competed since Beijing last September due to a herniated disc in her back.

World No.1 @Simona_Halep takes to the practice courts before her @SydneyTennis opener! pic.twitter.com/sf1nGXmkzd
— wta (@WTA) January 7, 2019

The Romanian will have to hit the ground running as she faces either Ashleigh Barty or Jelena Ostapenko in her opener. The WTA Premier-level event serves as an important final warm-up for players ahead of the Australian Open.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 01: Sloane Stephens of USA looks on in her match against Johanna Konta of Great Britain during day three of the 2019 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 01, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

ATP/WTA Sydney (1/5 to 1/12)

• Stefanos Tsitsipas, Frances Tiafoe, Simona Halep and Sloane Stephens headline Sydney International. Watch live coverage on Tennis Channel Plus.

WTA Hobart (1/5 to 1/11)

• Watch the action from the Hobart International featuring Caroline Garcia, Belinda Bencic and Maria Sakkari.

ATP Auckland (1/6 to 1/11)

• See John Isner, Fabio Fognini and Denis Shapovalov live on Tennis Channel PLUS beginning Monday, Jan. 7 at 6:00 pm ET.

FAST 4—Sydney (1/7)

• The game’s best compete in the always entertaining Fast4 format, with appearances by Nick Kyrgios, Grigor Dimitrov, and Milos Raonic. Live coverage begins on Monday, Jan. 7 at 3:30pm ET.

World Tennis Challenge—Adelaide (1/7 to 1/9)

• Watch Borna Coric, CoCo Vandeweghe, Alexander Zverev and Victoria Azarenka live from Adelaide starting Monday, Jan. 7 at 3:00 am ET.

AO Qualifying Rounds (1/8 to 1/11)

• Australian Open officially begins with qualifying action. Tennis Channel PLUS has fall the action live! Coverage begins Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 6:00 pm ET.