Aryna Sabalenka Sparks Hilarious Social Media War with Novak Djokovic Over Dance-Offs at Roland Garros

Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic have had plenty of match-winning dance offs at Roland Garros this year.


Aryna Sabalenka Sparks Hilarious Social Media War with Novak Djokovic Over Dance-Offs at Roland Garros

Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka (via the Tennis Letter)

Aryna Sabalenka has been engaging in a lighthearted social media rivalry with Novak Djokovic, centered around a playful dance battle. The World No. 1 has showcased her energetic side off the court, matching Djokovic in a series of fun posts that have caught the attention of tennis fans.

After her semifinal win at Roland Garros, Sabalenka addressed the ongoing challenge, expressing excitement about what Djokovic might do next. She humorously suggested turning the dance battle into an international poll while noting that Djokovic might gain overwhelming support from his Serbian fanbase. Sabalenka said in her Roland Garros press conference:

I’m excited to see what he’s gonna come up with next. We have to ask on social media, who is doing better, Aryna or Novak? We’ll see. He’ll probably repost it and there’s a lot of Serbians so probably I’m gonna lose it. Let’s make it an international quiz. Like no Serbians allowed to pick him.

This off-court exchange has added an entertaining twist to the tournament. Sabalenka’s lively personality and willingness to engage in such friendly antics have made her a fan favorite beyond her strong on-court performances.

As both players head into their respective finals, the social media dance challenge continues to be a popular and lighthearted subplot. It has offered fans a fun and refreshing way to stay connected with the players outside of match play.

Novak Djokovic set to climb the rankings after Roland Garros

Novak Djokovic showed he remains a strong force in Grand Slam tennis at age 38 with an impressive win over Alexander Zverev. He came from a set down to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 at Roland Garros. The performance was a clear message to those who had doubted his ability to compete at the highest level.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/We Are Tennis)

Despite not winning a major title since the 2023 US Open, Djokovic has continued to silence critics. He already proved his resilience earlier this year with a big win over Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open. His experience and ability to raise his level in the later stages of Slams were once again on display.

With this win, Djokovic moves up to No. 5 in the live ATP Rankings. He is now just one match away from rejoining the top four, a position he has often occupied throughout his legendary career.

To achieve that, Djokovic must get past Jannik Sinner in the semifinals. A win over the rising star would not only put him in another Grand Slam final but also boost his ranking ahead of Wimbledon, which begins at the end of this month.

How Aryna Sabalenka reached her first Roland Garros final

The match was played under a closed roof on a rainy day in Paris, creating consistent indoor-like conditions. In the opening set, service returns took center stage as both players struggled to hold. Aryna Sabalenka jumped out to a 3-0 lead with a double break and later served for the set at 6-5, but Iga Swiatek fought back on both occasions. Each player was broken four times, sending the set into a tiebreak.

Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek (2)
Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek (Image via X/The Tennis Letter, Iga archive)

In the tiebreak, Sabalenka elevated her game with powerful serves and sharp returns. She blasted an ace to take a 5-1 lead at the changeover. Swiatek then missed a return long, giving Sabalenka five set points. The top seed only needed one to close out the set after a grueling 1 hour and 15 minutes of play.

The second set began with three consecutive service breaks. Swiatek then steadied her game, taking a 2-1 lead and holding serve for the rest of the set. She improved her forehand aggression and came forward more often, eventually securing a love hold to win the set and push the match into a decider.

However, the third set was one-sided. Sabalenka took complete control, using flat, forceful forehands to dominate the rallies. She won all three of her break point chances, struck five winners to Swiatek’s two, and committed no unforced errors. The set lasted just 22 minutes, as Sabalenka stormed into the final.

Also Read: French Open 2025: Jannik Sinner vs. Novak Djokovic Preview, Prediction, and Live Stream Details