Entertainment
Aryna Sabalenka on loving Hong Kong, Steffi Graf and inspiring young players
The playful world No 1 discusses everything from her US Open triumph to teasing a Battle of the Sexes match with Nick Kyrgios
Aryna Sabalenka is living her best tennis life – travelling the world, eating well, soaking up the sun and winning big. Most recently, she took home the 2025 US Open title after a season marked by triumphs and near misses.
“It’s a great feeling,” says the world No 1. “It’s just fun to be here, to travel around the world, to compete and win. All of it. I’m just really enjoying my tennis life.”
Sabalenka is in Hong Kong for the Prudential NextGen Aces panel and exhibition match, speaking about the pros and pressure that come with being at the top of the game. “It’s a great achievement,” she says, “but it’s a lot of pressure, too. You have a target on your back and everyone’s chasing you.
“I do enjoy being the underdog and seeing the surprise on the top players’ faces when I beat them,” adds the spunky Belarusian. “I’m willing to bring the fight every time.”
That tenacity was tested throughout 2025 as she both lost big and won big. Sabalenka missed out on a third straight Australian Open title in January, lost in the French Open final in June and fell in the Wimbledon semis in July, before roaring back with a US Open win in September. “It was tough, but I’ve definitely learned something about my own approach to those big moments,” she says, “and how to handle them going forward.”
Handling high-pressure situations is what makes or breaks athletes. Before her loss to American Jessica Pegula in the Wuhan Open semi-final earlier this month, Sabalenka had won 19 consecutive tiebreaks on tour. “I was super focused, and I knew the importance of each point during the tiebreak and that I had to play an aggressive game in a key moment and put so much pressure on my opponent,” she says. “But it’s possible I got too confident with tiebreaks in general – I just lost the last one [in the Wuhan Open].”
Sabalenka is quick to credit her team. “In the really tough moments on court, I know I can’t give up because I know how much work they [her team] put in behind the scenes,” she says. “It’s not only about me.”
Taking the good, bad and ugly in her stride she continues, “I always fight on court, I never give up, and I think that helps inspire and motivate kids.”
Her social media presence, she says, also helps make the tennis world feel more accessible. “It also helps a lot that I can share so much of myself on social media. It helps kids to see the fun and tough parts of life of professional athletes.”
What’s next? Sabalenka has her sights set on a playful rivalry. She’s been teasing a Battle of the Sexes match with Nick Kyrgios. “I hope he is feeling the heat,” she says. “I spoke to him earlier today and gave him extra pressure about it.” With a formidable yet playful glare she declares, “I’m going to kick his a**.”
Entertainment
Fallon Sherrock Shines Bright Beside Her Three Gorgeous Friends — A Celebration of Beauty, Bond, and Unstoppable Energy
Entertainment
Emma Raducanu’s ex-coach joins another player’s team months after quitting role
Emma Raducanu linked up with Yutaka Nakamura at the end of last year, but their partnership soon fizzled out.
Emma Raducanu’s former fitness trainer, Yutaka Nakamura, has officially started working with another player, this time on the men’s circuit. Raducanu announced that Nakamura had joined her team last December, and he was set to travel with her during “most weeks” of the season.
However, Nakamura has been absent from her box for most of the year, reportedly stepping back for personal reasons in the spring. Raducanu has since been working with other physios, including Daniel Pohl and Jerome Poupel. And Nakamura has now seemingly joined Grigor Dimitrov’s team, months after the Bulgarian’s heartbreaking injury retirement at Wimbledon.
Dimitrov led top seed and eventual champion Jannik Sinner by two sets to love in the fourth round of Wimbledon this summer when he suddenly went down in tears, picking up a pectoral injury.
The former world No. 3 received off-court treatment, but he was unable to continue and returned to the court to retire from the match. Dimitrov has since revealed that he spent two hours crying in the locker room, and he later shared a photo from the hospital.
During his injury layoff, Dimitrov’s team had a shake-up, and he parted ways with his coach, Jamie Delgado, who has since joined Jack Draper’s camp. The 34-year-old has now returned to competition at the Paris Masters with some new faces in his box.
One of them is Nakamura, who has a wealth of experience on the WTA Tour, also working with Maria Sharapova and Naomi Osaka, as well as Raducanu.
Entertainment
Novak Djokovic’s wife’s telling response to retirement as he drops Paris Masters hint
Novak Djokovic’s tennis future is rife with speculation but the superstar is seemingly no closer to calling time on his legendary career.
Novak Djokovic’s wife Jelena told her husband he wouldn’t be able to resist the lure of tennis after he sensationally threatened to quit the game – an urge she continues to be proved right about. Djokovic ultimately soldiered on to become a true sporting icon and has recently dropped a hint that he could play well into his 40s.
The former world No. 1 has won a men’s record 24 Grand Slam singles titles and is widely viewed as one of the sport’s greatest ever players. Djokovic has, however, failed to win a Grand Slam since the 2023 US Open. The Serb has reached the semi-finals of all four major tournaments this year but turns 39 next year and has been plagued by injuries throughout 2025, sparking fresh suggestions that he could retire. Djokovic actually came close to calling time on his legendary tennis journey seven years ago before making a stunning resurgence. At that time, Djokovic had only secured half of his major championships haul, with a combination of recurring injuries and growing frustrations seeing him briefly turn his back on the game.
Jelena recounted the emotional chapter in a 2020 conversation, saying: “He wanted to quit. He gathered all the members of his team and told them, ‘You know what, I’m done, I’m quitting.’ We cried and told him that he couldn’t do it, that it wasn’t the right time.
“He didn’t want to play tennis, and he didn’t even want to see a ball pass in front of him.” Djokovic even alerted his sponsors that he was retiring, only for Jelena to remind him just how much tennis means to him, spurring on his U-turn.
The persuasive powers of Jelena and their children, Stefan and Tara, reignited his desire to return. “He didn’t want to know anything about it,” Jelena said. “But I love tennis and I take the kids to the court every day. On the third day, Novak arrived.
“He saw we were having fun, and it wasn’t the intense training he was accustomed to for years. Novak asked me if he could play and get a racket, but I refused.
“I started teasing him, saying he had quit and now it was our turn to play tennis. Eventually, he served and felt good, then returned daily until he finally called his coach Marian Vajda to start training again.”
-
Entertainment9 months agoFreakin’ Hot Ski Racer Lindsey Vonn Holds Second-Highest Super-G World Cup Wins
-
Entertainment10 months agoEmma Raducanu Living a Luxury Life: A Rising Star’s Glimpse into the Glamorous World
-
Entertainment9 months agoBra-less Charley Hull turns head by showing off bright red body …’
-
Entertainment9 months agoLexi Thompson Flaunts Her Athletic Physique on the Cover of Golf Magazine
-
Entertainment8 months agoCharley Hull Sizzles in Style: The Golf Queen Turning Heads On and Off the Course
-
Entertainment9 months agoPaige Spiranac posts 15 private photos: Everyone is talking about
-
Entertainment9 months ago“Lexi Thompson showcases her stunning legs in stylish outfits.”
-
Entertainment9 months agoCharley Hull Hits the Beach After a Long Day of Golfing

