**Aryna Sabalenka Shares Private Novak Djokovic Moment After Passionate Defense**
Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, revealed a heartwarming private moment with Novak Djokovic at the 2025 French Open, shortly after passionately defending him against retirement speculation during a press conference following her 6-2, 6-3 third-round win over Olga Danilovic on May 30, 2025, per express.co.uk. Her actions highlight their strong bond and her resilience, akin to athletes like Luke Littler and Emma Raducanu navigating their own challenges.
**Sabalenka’s Rant and Defense**
In her post-match press conference, Sabalenka urged reporters to “leave him alone” when asked about Djokovic’s longevity at age 38, saying, “He’s fit, strong. Mentally, physically, I think he’s ready to play another two or three years,” per express.co.uk. She criticized the media for pressuring Djokovic, who won his 100th ATP title in Geneva and reached the French Open third round without dropping a set, per nine.com.au. Sabalenka warned that his sudden retirement would sadden fans, referencing Rafael Nadal’s recent Roland Garros tribute, per bolavip.com. Her comments, echoed on X by @vikash110497, who praised her emotional intelligence, underscored her protective stance, per.
**The Private Moment**
Hours later, Sabalenka posted a “cute” Instagram Story video showing Djokovic embracing her warmly, a moment captured courtside at Roland Garros, per express.co.uk. The clip, shared with a lighthearted caption about her goddaughter Danilovic—“I was just curious what did he do to my goddaughter,” per @TheTennisLetter—highlighted their close friendship. Their bond, evident since a 2023 Australian Open charity match and a 2024 Miami dinner with Carlos Alcaraz, reflects mutual respect, per bolavip.com, dailymail.co.uk. Djokovic, who calls Sabalenka “a great guy,” has trained with her, notably at Wimbledon 2023, per sportskeeda.com.
**Context and French Open Progress**
Sabalenka, with +260 odds at ESPN BET, is a French Open favorite but deferred the tag to Iga Swiatek (+240), per espn.com. She faces Amanda Anisimova in the fourth round on June 1, trailing their head-to-head 4-2, per wtatennis.com. Djokovic, ranked No. 6, plays Filip Misolic or Denis Shapovalov, managing a blister from his Corentin Moutet win (6-3, 6-2, 7-6(7-1)), per tennis365.com. Their camaraderie, as Sabalenka noted, inspires younger players like Jannik Sinner and Alcaraz, per freepressjournal.in.
**Parallels to Resilience**
Sabalenka’s defense and shared moment with Djokovic mirror Littler’s cheeky jab at Humphries, both blending rivalry with camaraderie, per express.co.uk. Raducanu’s 2025 grass season focus, Osaka’s anxiety-driven grit, and Phil Taylor’s advice to Littler on dedication reflect similar resilience under pressure, per bolavip.com, tmz.com, dailymail.co.uk. Sabalenka’s earlier call for toxic coaches to quit further shows her advocacy, per espn.com.
**Conclusion**
Aryna Sabalenka shared a warm embrace with Novak Djokovic at the 2025 French Open, posted on Instagram, after defending him against retirement talk, urging media to “leave him alone,” per express.co.uk, @TheTennisLetter. Their bond, rooted in mutual respect, shines amid strong tournament runs, per bolavip.com. Like Littler’s banter, Raducanu’s grass campaign, and Osaka’s perseverance, Sabalenka’s actions reflect strength. She faces Anisimova, and Djokovic plays Misolic or Shapovalov on June 1, live on TNT Sports.
