Why Aryna Sabalenka is taking credit for Novak Djokovic's form at Shanghai Masters - 'I'm going to say it was all me'
By Leon Imber
Published 08/10/2025 at 23:47 GMT+1
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The blossoming friendship between Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic has been one of the heart-warming subplots from the dramatic 2025 ATP and WTA seasons. Djokovic, 38, has undertaken a reduced schedule this term, with his appearance at the Shanghai Masters his first since he was defeated by Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open semi-finals at the start of September.
Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus and Serbia's Novak Djokovic play mixed-doubles together during a charity event on Rod Laver Arena
Image credit: Getty Images
Aryna Sabalenka has said she will be taking the credit if Novak Djokovic wins the Shanghai Masters, ahead of the Serbian's quarter-final against Zizou Bergs.
Onlookers have observed a blossoming friendship between Sabalenka and Djokovic this season, with the pair, at times, training together ahead of Grand Slams.
This bond extended so far that even when Sabalenka was enjoying a break, on holiday in Greece after clinching the US Open - her fourth career Grand Slam - she once again shared the practice court with Djokovic.
"He was really competitive, and he was screaming," world No. 1 Sabalenka said. "But I won a lot of points against him, for the record. I hope he's going to confirm that."
Sabalenka also shared that she and Djokovic went for dinner with their respective partners - a "dream double date," according to her Instagram post.
Despite the harsh conditions in Shanghai, with the intense humidity pushing players to their physical limits, Djokovic has reached the final eight with victories over Marin Cilic, Yannick Hanfmann and Jaume Munar.
And Sabalenka said she will seek the appropriate credit should Djokovic go all the way and win the title.
"We practised a couple of times," she said. "I hope I was a great hitting partner. So far, he's winning in Shanghai. I guess it was a good one.
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"I really hope he goes all the way. He's going to win the tournament, and I'm going to say it was all me."
Djokovic's hopes of winning the title in China were boosted by the withdrawal of Jannik Sinner, after he retired from his third-round match against Tallon Griekspoor with repeated cramp issues.
Concurrently, Sabalenka is back in action at the Wuhan Open, and came through her first-round clash against Rebecca Sramkova in three sets.
Djokovic and Sabalenka in the 2025 season
Sabalenka and Djokovic's on and off-court friendship has produced some entertaining and heart-warming moments through the 2025 season, like when Sabalenka defended the 24-time Grand Slam champion against outside criticism in May.
"You are trying to put as much pressure as you can on Novak. Leave him alone," Sabalenka said in a press conference during the French Open. "Look at him. He's fit, strong. Mentally, physically, I think he's ready to play another two, three years. He's doing really well.
"Of course, [there are] ups and downs, everyone has [them]. I believe the older you get, the tougher it gets to stay consistent on the level. But we see whenever he's ready, whenever he's healthy and fit, he's there, and he's playing great tennis."
Sabalenka and Djokovic practised together ahead of Wimbledon and during the US Open, but it was not just their on-court exchanges from which they benefited.
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Watch as Djokovic crashes Sabalenka's press conference with hilarious training observation
Video credit: TNT Sports
After suffering a heart-breaking French Open final defeat to Coco Gauff, Sabalenka said she consulted Djokovic for advice on things she was struggling with.
"It's amazing to hear opinions of such a legend," Sabalenka said at the time. "We were just chatting about stuff that I'm struggling with a little bit. I'm really thankful for the advice he gave me."
It was during one of their Wimbledon practice sessions when the light-hearted nature of their relationship was on show. Various reports stated that, during their session, Djokovic quipped Sabalenka's grunting on the practice court would be punished in a match scenario.
It was then, ahead of Wimbledon, when Djokovic crashed Sabalenka's press conference, and turned to criticising her performances during their hitting sessions.
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