As the lush green courts of Wimbledon prepare to host the world’s top tennis talent starting June 30, 2025, Aryna Sabalenka, the WTA World No. 1, is leaving no stone unturned in her quest for a first Venus Rosewater Dish. This week, the Belarusian powerhouse took her preparation to new heights, hitting the practice courts at the All England Club with two of the sport’s biggest names: Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner. The experience, she admitted, was as exhilarating as it was exhausting. “Honestly, I hit with Jannik for, I don’t know, 10 minutes. I was exhausted,” Sabalenka shared with a laugh during a pre-tournament press conference. “An hour with Novak, and now I’m recovered. I needed a day of recovery, but it was a great experience.”
Sabalenka’s training sessions with the men’s World No. 1 Sinner and seven-time Wimbledon champion Djokovic were no ordinary practice hits. The intensity of facing two of tennis’s most formidable players pushed her to her limits, offering a rare glimpse into the elite level of the men’s game. “Hitting with the guys, it’s just another level of intensity,” she said, her eyes lighting up with admiration. “It’s cool to see their level, and when you see someone like Jannik or Novak from that angle, you learn from them. You reflect what they do on court.” The sessions, held at Aorangi Park, included a playful target practice challenge where Sabalenka and Sinner aimed to hit an empty ball can placed in no man’s land. Sabalenka’s finesse shone through as she clipped the can with a deft backhand slice, earning bragging rights—and a round of push-ups for Sinner’s team.
The session with Djokovic was equally memorable, blending high-octane tennis with mentorship and camaraderie. Sabalenka, known for her thunderous serve and aggressive baseline play, found herself absorbing wisdom from the 24-time Grand Slam champion. “Novak is the best,” she gushed. “First of all, I was able to hit with him, which not every guy would be able to do. Then you can chat with him. He will give his honest advice. It’s amazing to hear opinions of such a legend.” Their 30-minute conversation covered aspects of her game she’s been struggling with, though Sabalenka kept the details close to her chest. “If you give Novak an opportunity to talk, he’s not going to stop,” she joked, wishing she could have stayed for hours to soak in more of his insights.
The lighthearted moments didn’t end on the court. In a scene that delighted reporters, Djokovic crashed Sabalenka’s press conference, playfully chiding her for “lacking intensity” on the court—a tongue-in-cheek jab at one of the WTA’s biggest hitters. “You’re a really talented player,” Djokovic teased, drawing laughter. “Can I be honest? It’s too flat. You’ve got to lighten up a little bit and put some power into it.” Sabalenka, ever quick-witted, fired back, “Before, this guy was my favorite player, but not anymore, obviously,” before introducing him as “the best player in the world.” Their banter, coupled with a $100 bet during practice to hit the target can—split evenly when both succeeded—highlighted a mutual respect that transcends the court.
Sabalenka’s preparation comes on the heels of a bittersweet 2025 season. Despite her No. 1 ranking and a third consecutive Wuhan Open title, losses in the Australian Open and Roland Garros finals stung, particularly her defeat to Coco Gauff in Paris. The emotional fallout from that match, where Sabalenka’s post-match comments drew criticism, has since been resolved. She and Gauff, who practiced together at Wimbledon and shared a viral TikTok dance, have mended fences. “I’ve always been really good with Coco,” Sabalenka said. “I didn’t really want to offend her. I was just completely upset with myself, and emotions got over me.”
As she gears up for her first-round match against Canadian Carson Branstine, Sabalenka carries the lessons from her star-studded practice sessions. Facing a tough draw that could include Karolina Muchova or Iga Swiatek, she’s banking on her ferocious power—evidenced by her 401 aces in 2023—and newfound mental clarity. Meanwhile, Djokovic, chasing an eighth Wimbledon title, faces Alexandre Muller, and Sinner, fresh off a Roland Garros semifinal win over Djokovic, takes on Grigor Dimitrov. The trio’s paths may diverge in the tournament, but their shared moments at Wimbledon have already set the tone for a thrilling fortnight. For Sabalenka, the grueling sessions with Sinner and Djokovic were a masterclass in intensity and a reminder of the heights she aims to reach. “When you see Jannik or Novak on the other side of the net, you learn,” she said. “It was great for me.”
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