**Aryna Sabalenka Defends Novak Djokovic with Passionate Rant and Retirement Warning**
Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, unleashed a fiery defense of Novak Djokovic during a press conference at the 2025 French Open on May 30, 2025, urging critics to “leave him alone” amid questions about his longevity and retirement, as reported by Express.co.uk. The Belarusian star, fresh off a third-round win, warned that fans would regret pressuring the 38-year-old Serbian legend if he suddenly retired, drawing parallels to the emotional tributes for the retired Big Four. Sabalenka’s outburst, rooted in her admiration for Djokovic, echoes the resilience of athletes like Luke Littler after his 2025 Premier League Darts final loss.
**Sabalenka’s Passionate Rant**
When asked how long Djokovic, ranked No. 6, could continue playing, Sabalenka snapped, “You are trying to put as much pressure as you can on Novak. Leave him alone. Look at him. He’s fit, strong. Mentally, physically, I think he’s ready to play, I don’t know, another two, three years,” per Express.co.uk. She highlighted his 100th career title in Geneva and third-round French Open run, dismissing his 2025 struggles—early exits in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and a Miami final loss to Jakub Mensik—as normal ups and downs. “Of course up-and-downs, everyone has it. The older you get, the tougher it gets to stay consistent,” she said, per Express.co.uk. Sabalenka’s warning turned poignant: “Imagine if he gonna retire tomorrow, then everyone going to be sad, no?” Her comments, amplified on X by @DExpress_Sport, reflect frustration with media scrutiny, per @DirektnoRS.[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/2062275/Aryna-Sabalenka-Novak-Djokovic-French-Open-retirement)[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/2062275/Aryna-Sabalenka-Novak-Djokovic-French-Open-retirement)[](https://x.com/DExpress_Sport/status/1928462777175122084)
**Context of Djokovic’s 2025 Season**
Djokovic, who turned 38 on May 22, 2025, has faced a challenging year, with no ATP titles since his 2024 Olympic gold, per GBNews.com. His Australian Open semi-final retirement due to a hamstring injury against Alexander Zverev and first-round losses to Matteo Arnaldi (Madrid) and Alejandro Tabilo (Monte Carlo) highlight a dip, per Tennis365.com. Yet, his 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 win over Mackenzie McDonald and a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory against Pierre-Hugues Herbert at Roland Garros show flashes of brilliance, per RolandGarros.com. Sabalenka’s defense aligns with Lacoste CEO Thierry Guibert’s claim that Djokovic aims to play until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, per GBNews.com. However, Martina Navratilova warned that “Father Time” is catching up, per Tennis365.com, while Rafael Nadal predicted a potential “mental breakdown” post-Big Four retirements, per TheTennisGazette.com.[](https://www.gbnews.com/sport/tennis/novak-djokovic-retirement-update)[](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-features/novak-djokovic-comments-retirement-madrid-open)[](https://www.gbnews.com/sport/tennis/novak-djokovic-retirement-update)
**Sabalenka’s Relationship with Djokovic**
Sabalenka’s protective stance stems from a warm bond with Djokovic, whom she called “a great guy, a very nice guy” in 2023, per Reddit.com. She congratulated him on Instagram for his 2023 US Open title, writing, “Unbelievable @djokernole,” per TennisWorldUSA.org. Their playful 2024 Australian Open exhibition, where Sabalenka jokingly admired his “beautiful view,” showcased their camaraderie, with fans on Reddit praising their “wholesome” chemistry, per Reddit.com. Her 2025 French Open rant, referencing the “sad” Big Four tribute for Nadal, Federer, and Murray, underscores her fear of losing Djokovic’s presence, per Express.co.uk.[](https://www.reddit.com/r/tennis/comments/14xsdva/the_tennis_letter_aryna_sabalenka_on_friendship/)[](https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Novak_Djokovic/137501/aryna-sabalenka-issues-oneword-reaction-to-novak-djokovic-s-latest-accomplishment/)[](https://www.reddit.com/r/tennis/comments/1945utl/sabalenka_and_djokovic_having_fun/)
**Parallels to Littler’s Resilience**
Sabalenka’s emotional defense mirrors Luke Littler’s response to his 11-8 Premier League Darts final loss to Luke Humphries on May 29, 2025, where he vowed to “break his own records” despite a foam finger incident and draft distraction, per Express.co.uk. Both athletes channel pressure into motivation, supported by allies—Sabalenka by her team, Littler by Faith Millar. Similar to Venus Williams’ praise for Coco Gauff’s “attitude,” Novak Djokovic’s Nadal tribute, and Holger Rune’s spectator clash, Sabalenka’s rant reflects athletes navigating adversity, per Sportskeeda.com.
**Conclusion**
Aryna Sabalenka launched a passionate rant at the 2025 French Open on May 30, 2025, defending Novak Djokovic against retirement talk, warning, “Leave him alone,” per Express.co.uk. Her plea, rooted in their bond and fear of a post-Djokovic void, aligns with his 2025 struggles and enduring goals, per GBNews.com. Like Littler’s darts vow, Williams’ Gauff praise, Djokovic’s honesty, and Rune’s fire, Sabalenka’s stance shows resilience. Djokovic faces Yannick Hanfmann next on June 1, live on TNT Sports.[]
