Playful Encounter at Wimbledon
During a light-hearted moment at Wimbledon on Saturday, Novak Djokovic made an unexpected appearance at Aryna Sabalenka’s news conference, sharing some playful insights with the top-ranked Belarusian player. The two athletes have been practicing together at the prestigious All England Club in preparation for the major grass-court tournament that officially kicks off shortly.
Djokovic’s Humorous Interruption
As Sabalenka wrapped up her press time, Djokovic humorously interrupted, urging her to finish quickly so he could take over the stage. Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, embraced the opportunity and turned the tables by asking Djokovic for his thoughts on their recent practice session.
“What did you think about hitting with me? How do you see my level? Am I good?” she inquired.
In response, Djokovic, who has secured an impressive 24 Grand Slam titles, playfully assessed her game, stating,
“I think you have the potential. You’re like a really talented player.”
However, he also suggested improvements:
“Can I be honest? You’re lacking intensity on the court. You don’t have enough intensity. It’s too flat. You’ve got to lighten up a little bit and put some power into it,”
which elicited laughter from journalists present.
Previous Playful Interactions
This isn’t the first time Djokovic has engaged in this kind of playful interaction with fellow players. A memorable incident occurred in 2011 when he was at the press conference podium, and then top player Caroline Wozniacki humorously crashed it, asking him questions. Djokovic ultimately claimed victory at Wimbledon that year, while Wozniacki exited the tournament in the fourth round.
Upcoming Matches
As for their upcoming matches, Djokovic is set to begin his quest for an eighth Wimbledon title on Tuesday against French player Alexandre Muller, while Sabalenka gears up to face Carson Branstine on Monday.
