Wimbledon fans were already buzzing after Aryna Sabalenka’s fierce showdown against British favorite Emma Raducanu, but what happened after the match has set the tennis world ablaze with curiosity and admiration. Following her dramatic victory on Centre Court, Sabalenka dropped a revelation that no one saw coming: she received a private message from none other than 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.
“Yes,” Sabalenka confirmed with a laugh during a post-match interview, “Novak messaged me. He sent me the cutest drawing from his son. It really touched me.”
The world was caught off-guard. In an age where DMs can often stir controversy, this one told a different story—one of camaraderie, respect, and unexpected support. Djokovic, who has been a longtime symbol of both dominance and poise in the sport, took a moment to congratulate Sabalenka, not just as a peer, but as a friend. Alongside his message came a simple, childlike drawing from his son Stefan, believed to be cheering Sabalenka on with a stick-figure tennis player and a little heart in the corner. “It was adorable,” she said, visibly moved. “That kind of support—you don’t forget that.”
This friendly connection between Djokovic and Sabalenka isn’t brand new. The two were seen earlier in the tournament sharing a lighthearted moment when Djokovic walked into Sabalenka’s press conference unannounced, drawing laughs and smiles from the gathered reporters. He’s also been giving her advice behind the scenes, particularly on handling hostile crowds and staying mentally sharp during high-pressure matches.
“I really appreciate Novak,” Sabalenka said. “His experience is everything, and when someone like that takes time to encourage you, you listen.”
Her match against Raducanu was anything but easy. With the British crowd firmly on Raducanu’s side, Sabalenka had to block out the noise and dig deep. The Belarusian powerhouse relied on her explosive serve and fearless groundstrokes to battle through the crowd’s roars and Raducanu’s sharp baseline game. When the final point was played and Sabalenka emerged victorious, many expected the headlines to focus solely on the tennis. But Djokovic’s heartwarming gesture shifted the spotlight.
The tennis community has rallied around the unexpected friendship. Fans online are calling the exchange “wholesome,” with one tweet reading, “The GOAT sending fan art via his son? We love a supportive king.” Others have even begun jokingly asking Sabalenka to “leak” more DMs, curious to know who else might be cheering her on behind the scenes.
It’s a rare but beautiful reminder that even at the top of their game, athletes thrive on kindness, connection, and mutual support. And in a world where DMs often fuel drama, Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic just proved that sometimes, they can spark something truly uplifting.
Whether she goes on to win the championship or not, Sabalenka has already won something bigger: the respect of a legend and the hearts of Mans worldwide.