Djokovic Speaks Out on Sabalenka Controversial Grunt

Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka hit the practice courts together this week ahead of Wimbledon, and their training session produced a pretty funny moment that shows just how well these two get along.

The pair have always been friendly off the court. Sabalenka, who’s currently the WTA world No. 1, has looked up to the Serbian legend for years – and honestly, who can blame her?

Both players are heading into Wimbledon with serious motivation, but for completely different reasons.

Djokovic is chasing his eighth Wimbledon title, which would tie him with Roger Federer for the most men’s singles championships at the All England Club. That’s pretty incredible when you think about it.

Sabalenka’s Wimbledon Dreams

Sabalenka, on the other hand, is still hunting for her first Wimbledon crown. She’s dominated on hard courts with two Australian Open titles, but she’s never won a Grand Slam on grass or clay.

She’s also got some unfinished business at Wimbledon after missing last year’s tournament due to injury.

When you’re preparing for the biggest tournament in tennis, you want the best possible practice partners. That’s exactly what happened when Djokovic and Sabalenka trained together on Wednesday.

According to journalist Tumaini Carayol, who watched the practice session, Djokovic couldn’t help but joke about Sabalenka’s famously loud grunt. After she hit a particularly powerful shot, he told her with a smile: "That would be a hindrance on the ATP Tour."

A Friendly Exchange

Sabalenka didn’t miss a beat. She fired back: "I thought we were friends."

The whole exchange was lighthearted, and they continued training in great spirits. It sounds like the kind of relaxed, fun environment that really helps players build momentum before a major tournament.

Djokovic was probably thinking about his own experience with hindrance calls. Back in the 2023 Wimbledon semifinal against Jannik Sinner, he got called for a hindrance after grunting loudly during a rally.

The umpire ruled that his unexpected and lengthy grunt affected Sinner’s next shot. Djokovic was pretty upset about it, and fans were really divided on whether it was the right call.

More Than Just Practice

But the best part of their session happened after they finished hitting balls.

Carayol reported that Djokovic and Sabalenka spent about 30 minutes talking on court afterward, with the 24-time Grand Slam champion genuinely trying to help her.

Djokovic asked about her career and shared tons of tips and encouraging words. Getting that kind of support from someone many consider the greatest player in tennis history? That’s got to be pretty amazing for any player.

This kind of mentorship means a lot to Djokovic, especially considering his own early experiences on tour.

He’s talked before about how Rafael Nadal and especially Roger Federer were pretty cold to him when he first broke into the top level. While his relationship with Nadal improved over time, things with Federer never really warmed up much.

Paying It Forward

Several current top-20 players have praised Djokovic for how welcoming he’s been to younger players. He’s said he really values the respectful relationships he has with the next generation – probably because he remembers not getting that same treatment.

His encouragement might have been exactly what Sabalenka needed after her tough loss to Coco Gauff at the French Open earlier this year. She actually won the first set in that final but couldn’t close it out as Gauff put on an incredible defensive display.

Now both players are focused on Wimbledon, where the grass courts and unique atmosphere create a completely different challenge.

For Djokovic, it’s about adding to his already incredible legacy. For Sabalenka, it’s about proving she can win on any surface – and maybe their practice session together will give her exactly the confidence boost she needs.