Aryna Sabalenka Defends Novak Djokovic Amid Retirement Talks as Both Stars Shine at Roland Garros
Before Novak Djokovic’s triumph at the 2025 Geneva Open, the Serbian legend hadn’t lifted a single title since winning the ATP Finals in 2023. His prolonged title drought raised concerns across the tennis world, prompting speculation that the golden era might be drawing to a close. Former doubles star Todd Woodbridge even stated earlier this month that the coming weeks would be critical for Djokovic’s future, suggesting that if he doesn’t perform well in Paris, his plans beyond Wimbledon might shift drastically.
Djokovic himself has acknowledged that if he starts losing frequently or struggles to overcome major Grand Slam hurdles, it may be time to retire. Despite this, he has kept a strong mindset and recently stated he’s still driven by new motivations—especially after longtime rival Rafael Nadal stepped away. “A part of me left with him,” he said, admitting that Nadal’s absence made it harder to stay motivated.
Now, with renewed form and motivation, Djokovic appears to be turning the page. After winning the Geneva Open—his 100th career title—he extended his winning streak to six matches. At the French Open, he comfortably defeated Corentin Moutet in straight sets and maintained a flawless 12-0 record against French players at Roland Garros.
In the midst of renewed speculation around Djokovic’s future, WTA star Aryna Sabalenka came to his defense. Asked about how long she believes Djokovic can keep playing, Sabalenka pushed back against the pressure being placed on him.
Aryna Sabalenka was asked how long she thinks Djokovic can keep playing, ‘Just leave him alone. Let him just be. Imagine if he retired tomorrow, everyone is gonna be sad… There’s another 10, 15 years for Jannik and Alcaraz to become one of the greatest’
“I wanted to ask what… pic.twitter.com/YeTa3m1FpC
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 30, 2025
“You guys are trying to put as much pressure as you can on Novak. Leave him alone, look at him. He’s fit. He’s strong. Mentally and physically I think he’s ready to play another 2 or 3 years,” she said during her post-match press conference. She emphasized that he’s still performing at a high level, and every athlete goes through ups and downs, especially with age.
Sabalenka also touched on the emotional side of the sport: “Imagine if he retired tomorrow, everyone is gonna be sad. Don’t you think so?” While acknowledging that players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have long careers ahead of them, she insisted, “Just let him be… Everyone is missing the Big Four. Just leave Novak to be there, to fight, and to show his greatness and to inspire the next generation.”
Their friendship is not a recent development. In 2023, Sabalenka praised Djokovic as a supportive figure in her career, someone she could always count on for advice. Djokovic even congratulated her on her US Open win with the message, “Congratulations, Tigress,” and her coach once pointed to Djokovic’s ability to channel pressure into performance as a trait Sabalenka is learning to master.
Both athletes are off to powerful starts at Roland Garros. Djokovic overcame a spirited crowd and a strong challenge from Moutet to win in straight sets. Reflecting on the match, he admitted the third set was intense, especially with the home crowd backing his opponent: “Of course, it’s never easy, but I try to stay calm and do what I need to do… I think I have done that in a really good way.”
Meanwhile, Sabalenka eased past Olga Danilovic with a confident 6-2, 6-3 victory. After her match, she made a bold statement about the doubters she’s faced throughout her career. “I’ve always been quite motivated… But I have heard a lot. Saying I’m not smart enough, that I’m stupid and I’ll never make it.” Her message to those critics? “Quit your job… because honestly, I think they know nothing and they better quit just to save other players.”
With both stars thriving under pressure, the spotlight is now on who can go the distance in Paris. Whether Djokovic adds another Grand Slam to his legendary résumé or Sabalenka breaks new ground in her pursuit of dominance, both continue to prove they’re nowhere near done.