The on- and off-court bonding continues a trend for Djokovic and Sabalenka, who have spoken glowingly of each other, learned from each other, and spent time building a friendship while both have been at the top of the game.
“I love them, like him and Jelena. He’s always open to give me advice,” Sabalenka reasserted in Wuhan.
And now she hopes to influence the 24-time Grand Slam champion with her own perspective.
Djokovic is seeking his first hard-court title since 2023 in Shanghai, a tournament he’s won four times. If he goes all the way to the title, extending a tournament record for victoria in the process, Sabalenka says her good buddy has her to thank.
“We practiced a couple [of] times. I hope I was great hitting partner,” she said. “So far, he’s winning in Shanghai. I guess I was, it was a good one. I really hope he’s gonna go all the way. He’s gonna win the tournament. And I’m gonna say it was all me.”
