Aryna Sabalenka explains what she learned from practice sessions with Djokovic and Sinner

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Over the past year, Aryna Sabalenka has shared practice sessions with several ATP players, including Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner.

Last year at Wimbledon, she hit with Sinner, Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz before making her run to the semi-finals.

Sabalenka has not only practised with the 24-time Grand Slam winner but has also taken advice from him over the years.

In a recent interview, Sabalenka spoke about what she’s learned from training alongside some of the biggest names in men’s tennis.

Sabalenka says training with Djokovic made her physically stronger

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A number of WTA players have male hitting partners, and for Sabalenka, that’s Andrei Vasilevski, who travels with her throughout the season.

Speaking to Esquire about what it was like to hit with Sinner and Djokovic, Sabalenka described the difference in intensity and how it helped her build physical strength.

Sabalenka also mentioned that one of her sessions with Djokovic lasted as long as three hours.

“That was fun and I love doing this because the intensity is different,” said Sabalenka. “You know, you play against them and you automatically start copying their moves, which is great. They do a lot of great things that I have to learn from them.”

“The intensity of the practice was really high. Physically, in that moment, even though I would hit for a little bit… With Novak, we actually did two full practices: two hours [in one], and three hours [in another]. It was a great experience and good for me — I got really strong physically.”

Aryna Sabalenka reveals the only two players she has shared a meal with

After speaking about Djokovic and Sinner, Sabalenka was asked about her relationships on tour and whether she ever goes out to eat with other players.

Sabalenka said she gets along well with most players but admitted there are only two people she’s actually gone out to dinner with.

One of those dinners was a double date with Djokovic and his wife Jelena, while the other was her close friend Paula Badosa.

“I’m really good with everyone, but going for dinner and having a drink I think it’s only with Paula Badosa,” Sabalenka said. “And actually we went for a double date with Novak, so that’s the only two that I actually went for dinner.”

Sabalenka recently pulled out of Stuttgart but will be back in action soon at the Madrid Open.

Read more:

• Elena Rybakina reacts to Sabalenka absence ahead of Stuttgart
• Andy Murray shares heartfelt message as Jamie Murray steps away from tennis
• Carlos Alcaraz singles out two young Spaniards catching his eye on the ATP Tour