Sabalenka defends Djokovic: "You are trying to put as much pressure on him as possible, leave him alone"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 30 May 2025 | 15.58

Sabalenka defends Djokovic: "You are trying to put as much pressure on him as possible, leave him alone". Photo: Getty Images

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Aryna Sabalenka does not lower her pace in tennis at all. The world number one is clear: she is playing her best tennis on clay and has a unique opportunity to win her first Roland Garros. Additionally, with twelve victories in her last thirteen matches, she now has 37 wins in 2025 and claimed the title in Madrid. Her latest victim was Olga Danilovic (6-2, 6-3), to whom she gave no chance, and now she is in the round of 16, where Amanda Anisimova awaits her.

Although the world number one is the favorite, the American has a favorable head-to-head record with five wins to Sabalenka's two. Furthermore, in the three matches they have played on clay, Anisimova has won all of them. However, she was not asked about her upcoming match in the press conference and instead talked about her great performance against Danilovic, whom she praised highly. She also took the opportunity to staunchly defend Novak Djokovic and had some words for those aggressive coaches who assured her she wouldn't go anywhere.

Happy after advancing to the round of 16

"The conditions were completely different. And, of course, I am very happy with the victory. She's a tough opponent. She's a fighter, and I am very happy I won today. It was much hotter, and the ball was flying much faster. The bounces are much higher. Yes, you need to adjust your racket, but I didn't and felt much better. And you also have to adjust your game, and physically, of course, it's a bit tougher. So, I am very happy I adapted quite well and got the win."

Danilovic, Top 10 level

"From a gameplay perspective, she has everything to be among the top 20 or top 10. It all depends on whether she is mentally prepared to handle all the pressure and to keep fighting. Regardless of the outcome, it was a tough match. It was a great battle."

Against aggressive coaches

"It's not about pressuring me too much. I have always been quite motivated, and they haven't had to pressure me. But I have heard many say that I am not smart enough, that I am stupid, that I will never make it, and that I have nothing to reach the top. I want to send them a quick message to quit their job because honestly, I believe they know nothing, and they better leave it to save other players."

About her humorous on-court speeches

"I am just being myself. I am not trying to be something. I think humor in life is the best. So, I always try to have fun. I mean, that's who I am, that's my team. And I don't know. It's all natural, you know. We just go out there and when I have to give a speech, I never prepare the speech, as you can see. So, I don't know, I just go with the flow, I guess."

In defense of Djokovic

"You are trying to put all the pressure possible on Novak. Leave him alone. Look at him. He is fit, strong. Mentally, physically, I think he's ready to play, I don't know, another two, three years. I don't know, I don't know. He is doing very well, you know. Of course, everyone has ups and downs. You know, I think the older you get, the harder it is, like, to stay consistent at that level. But we see that whenever he is ready, whenever he is healthy and fit, he is there, and he is playing great tennis. So, leave him alone. Let him be. Imagine if he retired tomorrow, everyone would be sad, right? Don't you think? So, there are another 10, 15 years for Siner and Alcaraz to become some of the greatest. But, you know, leave him alone. It was very sad to see Nadal's ceremony, the big four were on the court, and you understand that three of them retired. Everyone misses their matches," stated a weary Sabalenka, tired of the criticisms toward Djokovic and already thinking about her demanding match against Amanda Anisimova.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sabalenka defiende a Djokovic: "Estáis tratando de poner toda la presión posible sobre él, dejadlo en paz"