'Just leave him alone' - Aryna Sabalenka fires back at Novak Djokovic retirement talk in fiery statement

Tennis star Aryna Sabalenka has made her views known on how long Serbian ace Novak Djokovic could continue playing the game despite his rivals and teammates retiring. The star player has made a strong start to the tournament in his 21st appearance at the French Open 2025 in Paris.

The 24-time Grand Slam winner has advanced to the third round at Roland Garros after defeating Corentin Moutet in straight sets. Ahead of the tournament, he made bold headlines in the tennis world after winning his 100th ATP title in the Geneva Open 2025.

On the other hand, Aryna Sabalenka has been in red-hot form and advanced to the fourth-round clash. She defeated Olga Danilovic with a scoreline of 6-2, 6-3 in the third round in Paris. After winning the match, the star player refuted reported questions seeking her opinions on the longevity of Novak Djokovic and whether she felt he could win the French Open title this year.

The 27-year-old tennis star stated that one should leave this decision to himself only rather than discussing this topic openly. She further hailed Djokovic's fitness, mentality, and game plan before talking about his consistency, which makes him the favorite to win the title here.

Also Read: Can Novak Djokovic defy the odds and win the French Open one more time? Chris Evert answers

Aryna Sabalenka opens up about Rafael Nadal's emotional French Open tribute

Sabalenka also highlighted how Nadal's farewell was an emotional event for them, where the Big Four were spotted together, with only Djokovic playing.

“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 two or three years...He’s doing really well. Of course, everyone has ups and downs. The older you get, the tougher it gets to stay consistent on the level. Just leave him alone. Let him just be. Just leave Novak to be there, to fight, and to show his greatness and to inspire the next generation," Aryna Sabalenka said.

Also Read: Why Novak Djokovic now feels confident in his bid for 25th Grand Slam in French Open?