Djokovic’s advice helps Sabalenka improve, win

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has said she needs to improve her tennis “in literally everything”, sharing how Novak Djokovic is helping her do it on and off the court.

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In an AFP interview, the four-time Grand Slam champion also talked about ignoring hate on social media, nearly quitting and her hopes and fears for life after tennis.

The Belarusian, 27, is now the undisputed women’s No. 1 but it was hard work and suffering which got her there, and some of it played out very publicly.

Sabalenka, then No. 2 in the world, was reduced to tears as her serve spectacularly deserted her at a tournament in the lead-up to the 2022 Australian Open.

“I couldn't put one serve in. I was double-faulting 40 times. And I was like, maybe that’s a sign that I have to quit,” she said in Hong Kong. “We've done everything to fix my serve and nothing would work.

“But, you know, | really believe... that when you're getting close to that moment where you're about to give up, I really believe that this is the moment when you can turn around things.

“You just have to push. You just have to keep trying. And this is the moment when it’s a turning moment.”

Back in Australia in 2023, she won her first Grand Slam and retained her Melbourne title in 2024.