Aryna Sabalenka Names Players She Thinks Are ‘Most Knowledgeable’ After Booking Wimbledon Quarterfinal Berth

Aryna Sabalenka is set to face Laura Siegemund in the SW19 quarterfinals, having already beaten her twice in previous encounters.

Aryna Sabalenka Names Players She Thinks Are ‘Most Knowledgeable’ After Booking Wimbledon Quarterfinal Berth

Aryna Sabalenka (Image via X/WTA)

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Aryna Sabalenka has made it to the quarterfinals of Wimbledon for the third time. On Sunday (July 6), she knocked out Elise Mertens in straight sets following which, Sabalenka was asked who she thinks are the most knowledgeable players.

Sabalenka secured her 11th win over her former doubles partner in their 13th meeting. Before this season, she had made it to the last eight in 2021 and 2023, and both times, her campaigns ended in the semifinals. The Belarusian had skipped Wimbledon last year and is chasing her first grass-court title, having failed to do so in the two tournaments she played on the surface.

Sabalenka has been interacting a lot with Novak Djokovic, from whom she copied the much talked about return shot. She likes to discuss other things related to tennis as well with the Serb, who she called a knowledgeable player, and on the women’s tour, she called retired player and three-time Grand Slam singles champion Ash Barty the smartest.

I think, not like someone I played against but definitely talking a lot to Novak…like he definitely has a lot of knowledge of the game and it’s really helped me a lot several times. I mean basically, whenever I talk to him, it really helping me. But like someone I played against…I think actually Barty. She’s always very very smart and she definitely understands the game quite well.

Aryna Sabalenka said at the press conference

Djokovic, who last won a Major at the 2023 US Open, is bidding to win his 25th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, which he last lifted in 2022 by beating Nick Kyrgios. He is chasing his ninth trophy on grass, seven of which he has captured in the London Major.

Before this season, the 24-time Grand Slam champion made it to every Wimbledon final since 2018, losing only in the last two seasons to World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz who he once again is projected to meet in the championship clash. The 38-year-old went past compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic to schedule his career’s fourth match against Alex de Minaur in the last 16.

Aryna Sabalenka to play Laura Siegemund next

Aryna Sabalenka will be up against a player who claimed her playing style is unusual and her on-court behavior plus some of her habits annoy her opponents. That player is Germany’s Laura Siegemund. But Sabalenka has made it clear that her whole focus will be on her own game and not on what the 37-year-old will be doing.

Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka (via WTA Tennis)

Especially on grass, her playing style can be very challenging. Yes, it’s annoying. But I’ve faced many tough players. I think for me, personally, the main thing is not to rush and not get frustrated by her game, and focus on myself.

Aryna Sabalenka said at the press conference

Sabalenka has met Siegemund twice, winning both matches. But they have never faced on grass. The upcoming quarterfinal will be their first encounter since the 2019 Strasbourg Open second round.

Siegemund is the winner of three Grand Slam titles- one doubles and two mixed doubles. In singles, however, the former World No.27 has never progressed beyond the quarterfinals, reaching the last eight of Wimbledon for the first time. Apart from Wimbledon, Siegemund has also played in the quarterfinals of the 2020 French Open.

Before scheduling the match against the three-time Grand Slam singles champion, Siegemund knocked out reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the third round, following which, she breezed past Solana Sierra. Siegemund is also playing doubles with Beatriz Haddad Maia and the pair have reached the round of 16 to schedule the clash with Elise Mertens and Veronika Kudermetova.

The World No.104 has not yet lifted a singles title this year. Sabalenka is chasing her fourth one of the season at SW19.

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