Aryna Sabalenka Calls Out Novak Djokovic for Not Asking Her to Play Mixed Doubles: “Still Waiting for Message That I’m His Dream Partner”

Both Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic have booked a spot in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.

Aryna Sabalenka Calls Out Novak Djokovic for Not Asking Her to Play Mixed Doubles: “Still Waiting for Message That I’m His Dream Partner”

Aryna Sabalenka, Novak Djokovic (Image via X/osmanersin, Novak Djokovic)

Aryna Sabalenka is into the quarterfinals of the Australian Open for the fourth consecutive time. The Belarusian ace clinched a 6-1, 7-6(1) win over teenager Victoria Mboko in what was also their career’s first head-to-head matchup.

At the press conference later, the World No.1 was asked whether both she and Novak Djokovic ever considered playing mixed doubles together. Sabalenka playfully called the Serb out for not yet asking her to join him for mixed doubles.

Maybe at the U.S. Open this year. He just barely asked me at the U.S. Open last year. I’m still waiting for that long message from him…how he’d like to play with me…how I’m his dream partner. So I’m still waiting for the message. Never got it, so I don’t know, maybe we’re not playing.

Aryna Sabalenka Calls said

In last year’s US Open mixed doubles, Sabalenka and partner Grigor Dimitrov withdrew after the latter suffered a pectoral injury during Wimbledon. Djokovic and fellow Serbian crashed out in their opening round, losing to Russia’s Daniil Medvedev and Mirra Andreeva.

In the ongoing event, Djokovic, who was scheduled to play Jakub Mensik in the fourth round, also progressed to the quarterfinals as the Czech ace was forced to withdraw due to a muscle injury.

Djokovic, who made the semifinals of every Major last year, was forced to withdraw at Melbourne Park due to a hamstring injury, handing the walkover to eventual runner-up Alexander Zverev.

Djokovic is chasing his 11th title at Melbourne Park, last winning it in 2023 against Stefanos Tsitsipas. En route to reaching the quarterfinals, Djokovic knocked out Botic van de Zandschulp in the third round.

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz were the reasons why Djokovic crashed out in the remaining three Majors. The Italian beat him at the French Open and Wimbledon, while the Spaniard knocked him out at the US Open.

Aryna Sabalenka will play Iva Jovic next

After eliminating 19-year-old Victoria Mboko, Aryna Sabalenka has set up the quarterfinals clash with another teenager. It’s Iva Jovic, the 18-year-old American ace who clinched an emphatic 6-0, 6-1 win over Yulia Putintseva.

Aryna Sabalenka (5)
Aryna Sabalenka (Image via X/HQ Pics)

I think I’m just gonna try to keep taking care of my side of the net. Obviously, she’s No.1 for a reason and has had so much success at this tournament, but that’s what I want. I said it last year that I hoped to play her this year because you definitely want to play the best and see how it goes. I’m really excited.

Iva Jovic said during the on-court interview

Prior to arriving in Melbourne, Jovic played the semifinals of the ASB Classic and the final of the Hobart International, losing to Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the latter. Jovic partnered with Mboko in doubles for the first Major of the season, but their campaign ended in the second round against Elise Mertens and Zhang Shuai. Prior to this year, Jovic had never made the third round in Grand Slam singles.

Sabalenka is chasing her career’s third title at the Australian Open, having won it in 2023 by defeating Elena Rybakina and in 2024 against Qinwen Zheng. She made the final last year as well, but Madison Keys denied her the three-peat.

Last year, Sabalenka made nine finals, winning four titles, including the US Open by defeating home favorite Amanda Anisimova. She started the 2026 season in emphatic fashion by defending her Brisbane International crown with a straight-set win over Marta Kostyuk. The 27-year-old has yet to drop a set this year. The only player who troubled her was Anastasia Potapova in the third round of the ongoing tournament, as they played two tie-breaks.

Also read: Novak Djokovic Gives an Emotional Salute to Stan Wawrinka After the Swiss’s Last Australian Open Match