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In a display of sportsmanship and respect, tennis legend Novak Djokovic has congratulated Aryna Sabalenka on her remarkable victory at the 2024 US Open. Sabalenka, who clinched her third Grand Slam title, defeated sixth-seed Jessica Pegula in a thrilling final with a score of 7-5, 7-5. The match, which lasted an intense hour and 53 minutes, showcased Sabalenka’s resilience and skill on the court.
Sabalenka’s path to victory was a testament to her tenacity and prowess. Throughout the tournament, the World No. 2 faced and overcame a series of formidable opponents, including Priscilla Hon, Lucia Bronzetti, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Elise Mertens, Paris Olympics gold medalist Zheng Qinwen, Emma Navarro, and ultimately Pegula.
On September 8, 2024, Djokovic took to Instagram to celebrate Sabalenka’s achievement. The Serbian star shared a short video clip of Sabalenka making a claw pose with the US Open ball crew during the trophy presentation ceremony. Accompanying the video, Djokovic wrote, “Congratulations Tigress,” reflecting his admiration for Sabalenka’s performance.
Unfortunately for Djokovic, the 2024 US Open did not unfold as he had hoped. The defending champion was ousted in the third round by 28th seed Alexei Popyrin in a hard-fought match that ended 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. This early exit was a significant setback for Djokovic, who had been aiming to add another Grand Slam title to his storied career.
In a playful twist, Sabalenka responded with humor when asked about her chances in a hypothetical match against Djokovic. During a fun Q&A session on social media, the Belarusian confidently joked, “Easy call 😂,” when queried about her ability to defeat Djokovic in a one-on-one matchup.
Earlier this year, Sabalenka also humorously credited her success at the 2024 Australian Open to her brief interactions with Djokovic. Reflecting on training sessions with the Serbian star’s team, she joked, “I guess I need to speak more often to Novak maybe. Maybe that’s why I’m winning. I need to talk about that,” adding a light-hearted note to her achievements.
As Sabalenka prepares for her fourth consecutive appearance at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, her success at the US Open and her playful interactions with Djokovic highlight a season of both triumph and camaraderie in the tennis world.
